Car traffic is increasing in Denmark. CO2 emissions have increased by 15 % since 2012, and a quarter of the region’s population fail to live up to the World Health Organisations’ (WHO) minimum recommendation for physical activity. Commuting by bike takes up less space in traffic, emit zero CO2, and is a time efficient way to combine exercise with residents’ daily work -life routine.

In 2008, a research study initiated by the municipality of Copenhagen identified great potential for long distance bike commutes across municipal borders in the Capital Region. In 2009, Copenhagen, the Capital Region and 15 other municipalities agreed to work together to develop the Cycle Superhighway Collaboration.

Currently the collaboration consists of 30 municipalities and the Capital Region, with more municipalities joining every year.

Objective

To build a cohesive, high quality network of cycle superhighways, with an infrastructure service that is equal to what is offered to passengers of public transport and car drivers.

To increase the number of bike commuters who ride 5-30 km daily. and to not only be the region with the most bicycle-friendly city in the world (Copenhagen) but to become the most bicycle-friendly region of the world.

To increase the number of commuters in the Capital Region of Denmark who chose the bicycle as their means of transportation when commuting to work, education and social activities.

The Cycle Superhighway Collaboration (CSC) is coordinated by the Office for Cycle Superhighways (OCS), which facilitates the collaboration between the municipal and regional authorities, who together fund the OCS. Each municipality is responsible for planning, building and financing their routes – often co-financed by the state. To ensure a common plan the municipalities have agreed on a conceptual strategy defining the quality and criteria for a cycle superhighway and a vision plan for a fully built network by 2045.

Being the largest cross-municipal bike infrastructure collaboration in Denmark, CSC strives to be one of the most innovative forces for bicycle development nationally and internationally. A concept for cycle superhighway standards has been developed and is constantly being updated based on CSCs innovation projects as well as new national and international knowledge. Strictly monitoring and evaluating the routes the collaboration has ensured a consistent collection of bicycle data that qualifies both the planning process as well as political decision making.

Activities include:

Routes:
Continuously updating cycle superhighway standards, accommodating different needs e.g., geographical area, connectivity to public transport etc.

Knowledge:
Launched the world’s first Cycle Superhighway bicycle account and proactively engage research projects with universities.

Communication:
Launched a business-oriented approach aiming to get more bicycle friendly transport initiatives and policies at workplaces.

Innovation:
Testing and studying new trends e.g., speed pedicels and the need for infrastructure adjustments.

Organisation:
Initiating (inter)national multi-stakeholder collaborations to anchor regional bicycle planning on (inter)national levels.

Users of the cycle superhighways are 52% female and 48% male. The main target group is generally between 18-67 years old. They count for approx. 65% of the inhabitants of the Capital Region (1.2 mill out of 1.8).  On the cycle superhighways there has been an average 23% increase in number of cyclists. 14% of new cyclists used to travel by car. And the cyclists ride long distances, an average trip is 11km (one way).

The data relating to the impact of the routes is collected in the before- and after evaluation for each route made by external consultants. The evaluations are based on stop-interviews with commuters on the route, bicycle counts, speed test and comfort measurements. The data is disaggregated by gender and age. The socio-economic analysis was made by economic consultancy firm who also does socio-economic analyses of other infrastructure projects.

The Cycle Superhighway Collaboration is a partnership between 30 municipalities and the Capital Region of Denmark. Since 2010, The Capital Region and the municipalities have co-funded the Office for Cycle Superhighways. The office counts five full time employees (approx. €550,000/year). All routes are financed by the municipalities. All existing routes have, however, received funding (30-50 %) from state funds. The funds are managed by the Danish Road Directory who receives the applications and grants the funds.  With a total price of €295 million for a fully implemented network, so far approx. €50 million has been invested in the existing and upcoming routes.

As there is no regional road authority in Denmark, there is no binding agreement to develop regional bike infrastructure. Hence this collaboration of 30 municipalities based on a ‘gentleman’s agreement’ is unique. Now recognizing cycling as a vital part of the transport system, cycle superhighways have become an emerging phenomenon - especially in Europe. The cycle superhighways in the Capital Region of Denmark were one of the first and the CSC aims to continue inspiring and strengthening the international collaborations and knowledge-sharing.

Results of existing routes: 23 % increase in cyclists, 14 % of new cyclists used to travel by car, average trip length (one way) is 11 km, average speed is 19 km/h and 400,000 km are cycled daily. Effects of the planned network of 45 routes: €765 million socio-economic surplus, and an annually reduction of 40,000 days of sick leave, 1 million car trips and 1,500-ton CO2. Modal split changes from COVID-19 are not confirmed yet.

Ensuring both the financial and political support with that many stakeholders is a constant struggle. Evaluations and positive results of the existing routes as well as a cost-benefit analysis showing future benefits from the planned network is one way of ensuring political and financial support within each municipality.
Sharing the progress and results in the press and via social media on the impact the Cycle Superhighways have on commuters’ everyday life helps legitimise the project with officials and politicians at the municipal, regional and national level.

The Office for Cycle Superhighways work to learn the latest lessons from our (inter)national colleagues and collect the newest knowledge on cycle superhighways, commuter cycling and cycling infrastructure through networking, conferences, seminars etc. All knowledge is shared within the Collaboration through meetings, newsletters and implemented in the continuous work.

The  CSC has been and are engaged in several international knowledge sharing networks:

• participating in a north-west European Cycle Highway project
• initiating a ‘Nordic Cycle Highway Community’ with monthly videoconferences discussing different subjects with regional bicycle planners of Norway, Sweden and Finland
• project managing the making of a strategic action plan on cycling development for the international metropolitan area ‘Greater Copenhagen’ (includes two Danish and two Swedish regions)
• and conducting more than 50 presentations a year for international delegations of city planners, politicians and journalists.

Guangzhou Award application form