Rush Hour in Copenhagen?

Is this a bike race? Some charity event? Perhaps an unusual tour group that opted to ride instead of walk around Copenhagen? WRONG!

The pictures above show rush hour, Danish style. Did you know Denmark is the second largest country in Europe to use bike cycles as a primary form of transportation (after the Netherlands)? EVERYONE bikes here, to work, to school, to parties, for shopping (i.e. after one of the ballet's I went to see, I saw one of the musicians getting on his bike, instrument strapped to the back). The number one crime in Denmark is bike theft.

For us exchange students from countries not so predisposed to this environmentally friendly method of commute, learning to adjust to the prevalence of bikes took some getting use too. First thing I had to be cognizant of was "Do NOT walk in the bike lanes." They have dedicated bike lanes here and woe to the pedestrian who wonders into this privileged space, you will get a loud bike horn in your ear! Next I had to be aware that bikes are everywhere and to pay just as much attention to them as to the cars.

Within the first few weeks when I was here, I was very apologetic if I got a dirty look from a biker, assuming I had made the mistake on the street. Than I read up on the rules and now I'm an educated walker and know my rights! For example on the sidewalk bikers have to walk their bike, anyone riding is in violation of the law and I don't care if you are in a rush, you are in the wrong and I'm not yielding! You are not suppose to bike in the park, again walk it, if you think you're going to be real slick and try to get away with it, don't expect me to help. At pedestrian cross-walks, you bikers have to stop as well, so I will walk through when the light is green and I don't care if you are coming up at a 100 miles per hour and fall over, you know the rules, don't try to pull one over on me. Well you get the picture, it seems even as a pedestrian I can be an aggressive little thing...

But I had to write about this very interesting facet of life in Denmark!