Generally we highlight the bicycle infrastructure in the city proper but I figured that it was high time to mention that all of our main arteries are equipped with bike lanes, too.
The street above is a good example. A wide, segregated bike lane running parallel to the busy road.
On both sides of the road, I might add.
These photos were taken from the new cycle/pedestrian bridge over said busy road.
Even farther out of the city, on the motorways leading into Copenhagen, there is ample opportunity to cycle.
Photo: Jens Dresling/Politiken
I used to cycle each day along this motorway, the #16 to the north of the city, on my way to work out of town and it was always splendid passing the traffic jam heading towards the city centre. The entire traffic jam.
11 comments:
They are Brilliant Cycle Lanes that you have in Copenhagen.Wish we had ones like that in Ireland,we have a long way to go. Our Government is supposed to be taking a Greater interest in Providing better facilities for us but it is still very slow. We have Cycle Lanes in Dublin now for some Years but they are not as wide as yours. They have introduced a Tax incentive for Workers to Buy a Bike together with Safety Equipment up to the Value of €1.000 Euro to be used for Commuting to Work. It will Apply from January 2009 but only every 5 Years you can Apply for it. I am not sure of all the Details but it sounds very good to me.
How are the intersections handled? For instance, in the top photo you can see a major intersection is at the top of the photo. When the sidepath reaches that intersection what happens? Does the path have its own light phase ( where traffic in both directions is stopped so the bicycles can cross)?
Also, what do you do if you want to make a left turn at that intersection?
Thanks
From my experience most intersections have separate bike lights, sometimes with an earlier phase to give cyclists a head start. In Denmark (as opposed to Sweden where I also cycle) I think you need to do a left turn in two steps, first cross the intersection, then wait at the other end and cross on the green phase for the road you want to turn onto.
If only! In the US you are quite often stuck in that very traffic you wish to avoid. I have been ticketed for riding up the ride side of the road past the stopped cars...more than once. BUILD THE INFRASTRUCTURE!
Aaron
There seem to be two parallel bike paths in the top photo. What's going on?
bike path on left, pedestrian sidewalk to the right.
I am so dreaming of something like this for every city in the US.
That is amazing. I'd say that a separated, wide lane like that would absolutely make more people ride, because it would feel so much safer and less stressful than the super-thin bike lanes we have now (if we have anything at all).
Bike lanes and side paths, like these, work in different situations.
Note that these side paths are all along major roads with long distances between intersections. That's because it is too dangerous to cross an intersection from a side path without a signal phase that makes sure there are no cars crossing or turning at the same time.
On a road with a lot of intersections, waiting on a sidepath for a special light phase to cross each intersection would make it REALLY slow.
Bike lanes are used where there are more frequent intersections.
Martin, What's not green about this picture? The cyclists are breathing in major car exhaust fumes.
At the intersection above, the bikes share the lane with turning traffic. It works fine, we're all used to it. In some intersections the bike lane continues right to the light. Many intersections have bike traffic lights.
The left turn is as described by kristoffer. Continue on to the far side of the intersection and wait for a clear path or a green light, whichever comes first.
Regarding cyclists breathing fumes... It's worse inside the cars.
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