Around Copenhagen on Vintage Bikes

I’ve been to Denmark plenty of times, but I rarely spend more than a day in Copenhagen because, if you know me, I don’t like big cities. Laura says it’s because I’m a lame hipster. I won’t deny that. But at the same time, I can’t resist the idylic charms of Helsingør, or the candy-sweet Ribe. Today changed my mind, though. Copenhagen is a gorgeous city, and I want to kick myself for not realising that sooner. All it took was a trip on vintage bikes.

Getting around the hustle and bustle of Copenhagen can be underestimated. With streets packed full of tourists making their way to the next museum and local commuters stressing about making it on time to their next meeting, it can be difficult to get out your big map or order a taxi right to your feet.  Which is why in a city that has more bikes than cars, cycling is the favoured way of getting around the Danish capital. Locals do it, tourists do it, everyone does it. In fact, there is no city in the world that loves cycling more. Copenhagen actually ranks no1 as the most cycle-friendly city in the world, just beating Amsterdam.

SO WHERE TO GET A BIKE?

The city is full of bike rentals and bike tours. Just look out for racks in traffic-heavy areas and near main sites and attractions.

A common, very handy way of getting around is on bicycles from the company ‘Bycyklen’. To hire these electric bikes all you have to do is enter in a few details onto the touchscreen between the handlebars (inc your card details) then you can cycle off and explore the city at your own pace. It’s a pay as you go system Very smart technology. There are over 100 Bycyklen stations spread across the city and you can return your bike to any of these stations. Payment will happen automatically with the payment card you have attached to your user account.

SO HOW MUCH DO THEY COST?

There is an hourly rate of DKK 30 per commenced hour, which is equivalent to about £3.68 in pounds, €4 or $4.75

RENT A BIKE FROM THE HOSTEL

Located in the beautiful Old Town, Bike hire is 80 DKK per person per day for 12 hours (which is great and works out cheaper than the option above). Bikes can be ordered at the hostels’ 24 hour reception, just talk to Martina or Isabella. For groups over 20, be sure to book your bike rental 7 days before your stay in summer, 14 days before in winter.

OTHER OPTIONS

If you see an abandoned bike don’t be scared to wheel it to the local bike shop, get some free air in the tires and cycle off. Although you may feel a bit wary of doing this, the local police officers agree that as long as the bike clearly has no owner coming back for it, then they don’t see why it isn’t free for you to take.

Not me

There are tons of different places to rent a bike in Copenhagen. They vary from bike cafes, guided tours, and do it yourself. There are more quirky places that allow you to hire trendy designer bikes if you want to experience the city in style.  There are guided tours that take you to the main attractions of the city, but there are also tours that have the focus of taking you around the urban areas that the locals like to hang out and the cool architecture of the city. One of these urban tours takes place close to our sister hostel in the downtown part of the city.

Getting on a bike in Copenhagen for the first time can seem a bit scary for some. But do not fear! The best advice is to avoid the bigger streets during early morning and late afternoon rush-hour when all of the locals are rushing to and from work and school. With this guide on where to rent a bike and an article that’ll teach you all you need to know before getting in the saddle, you’ll be more than good to go.