Cyclists in Copenhagen
With cities designed to prioritize bicycles and ensure cyclists’ safety, there’s not even bad weather for Nordics who prefer to leave their cars at home during blizzards.
Across Scandinavia, many people cycle to work or school during the winter, despite the snow and negative temperatures.
For example, in the Stockholm region of Sweden, around 34% of people use a bicycle sometime during the winter months. Oslo, Norway, has seen an increase in winter cycling recently. In 2022, 15% of all trips were made using this mode of transport in winter, compared to 7% in 2015.
Cycling in winter is not just a trend in Sweden. Research shows that the Danish capital, Copenhagen, also has high cycling rates in the colder months. Around 66% of cyclists in Copenhagen say they use their bikes in winter. Cyclists report frequently feeling prioritized and secureand many consider cycling an efficient means of transport. Even in winter, cycling remains the fastest and most convenient option for many urban journeys.
In Sweden, especially in the northern part of the country, studded winter tires for bicycles are quite common. Studies show that studded bicycle tires significantly improve grip and braking on ice.
Snow-covered bike paths can defrost and refreezecreating slippery and icy paths, which are particularly difficult to navigate. Many Scandinavian cities, such as Copenhagen, face this challenge by prioritizing the maintenance of cycle paths in winter. Timely snow removal and anti-slip treatments, such as mixing gravel with salt for better grip, increase safety and encourage people to continue cycling even in cold weather.
Studies show that surface conditions strongly affect cycling decisions.
Snow removal remains the most important factor in people’s decision whether or not to bike, while anti-skid measures help reduce accidents. Good maintenance of cycle paths throughout cities and the use of appropriate equipment encourage people to continue using this medium transport throughout the winter.
Guidance from local authorities generally emphasizes safe winter cycling practices, such as adjustment of speed to weather conditions. It is these factors, along with knowledge of how to cycle in adverse weather conditions and good road cleaning, that help cyclists get to work even in difficult weather conditions.
It is also important to highlight that cities in Sweden and Denmark generally offer Cycle paths separate from streets and give priority to cyclists at intersections with cars. Features such as bicycle bridges and cyclist-specific traffic lights make the journey easier and minimize conflict with motorized vehicles, which becomes especially important when visibility is poor or surfaces are wet. In places where infrastructure is not as suitable for cycling or where traffic is heavy, winter conditions aggravate stress and discourage cycling.
Better for the environment
Cycling in winter has significant implications for sustainable transport policies and achieving climate goals. Each cyclist represents one less trip with a car to having to start in the cold, a type of commute associated with disproportionately high emissions and local air pollution. Studies suggest that improving winter cycle maintenance levels can reduce accidents and, in general, winter cycling reduces car use.
Constant cycling in winter too helps reduce congestion and relieves pressure on public transport during rush hours.
A strong link between public transport and cycling also helps people cope with longer journeys. Good facilities for parking bicycles at stations or the possibility of taking the bicycle on the train also encourage the use of bicycles on parts of the journey.
Winter cycling in Scandinavia is not due to people’s unusual stamina, but rather to consistent urban planning choicesreliable maintenance and a cultural commitment to cycling as an everyday activity. When cities treat cycling as an essential form of transportation rather than just a seasonal option, people continue to cycle, even in the snow.
