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Cycling in Copenhagen and Aarhus
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For the Danes, cycling is an integral part of daily life. We cycle to work, to school, when we bring the kids to kindergarten, to keep in shape and not least - we cycle because it is fun. Therefore, there is a vast network of cycle paths and routes throughout which makes life easier and better for cyclists.
 You can comfortably explore Copenhagen by bike on your own, and it is an easy and quick way to get around. You should, however, keep in mind the many one-way streets in central Copenhagen. There are also many pedestrian streets where you either have to get off and pull or park your bike before entering. Many of the main sights of Copenhagen are situated in the inner city, so it is easy to get from one place to the other. The harbour front is also close by with all the new, exciting buildings from Islands Brygge and the new Amager Beach Park to Langelinie where you find the Little Mermaid and the Gefion fountain, or for example to the 'bridges', i.e. Nørrebro, Vesterbro and Østerbro which is the 'real' Copenhagen to many of its inhabitants.
It is a really good idea to join a guided cycle tour in Copenhagen where you can see and learn more about the capital, its sights and the history behind. Some tours are theme tours, e.g. "Danish Design tour", "Green oases" etc. And then there is the extremely comfortable tour - on a rickshaw, where others do the pedalling for you while you sit back and relax. View the options on www.visitcopenhagen.com.
It is easy to get to the forests and beaches around Copenhagen by bike, because there are plenty of good excursion paths, e.g. Vigerslevstien connecting to Vestvoldstien along national cycle route no 9. Another popular tour runs north through Østerbro, Hellerup and along Vandstrandvejen (The beach road) to Klampenborg and Jægersborg Deer Park. From Rådhuspladsen (the City Hall) you can get to the green areas by national cycle route no. 6 via Amager Fælled (Amager Common) and the western part of Amager. There is more information and maps on the Danish Road Directorate's homepage www.trafikken.dk. If the legs are getting tired or you have a flat tyre, it is good to know that you can bring along the bike on the regional trains and S-trains on return, but remember to get a ticket for both yourself and the bike. Have a look at www.movia.dk or ask at the station.
Aarhus is a great city for cycling, it is easily accessible so distances are short and there are many green areas and good cycle paths.
In the city centre, most streets have been made into pedestrian streets, but there is a cycle route which takes you around the city centre and the old Latin quarter with trendy shops and cool cafes - not least Vadestedet (the Ford) by the Aarhus inlet. You will also almost automatically pass by some of Aarhus' main sights, e.g. the Cathedral, the City Hall, the Music Hall, and the new art museum ARoS.
To the south of the main station, it is worth visiting the cosy area of Frederiksbjerg featuring pretty town houses, plenty of cafes and fine shopping.
When following Ringgaden (the Ring Road), you will reach other main sights, e.g. the Old Town, the Botanical Gardens, Tivoli Friheden, Mindeparken (the Memorial Park) and the neighbouring Marselisborg Castle.
The area surrounding Aarhus is beautiful and never far away with the bay to the east, Brabrand Lake to the west and beaches and forests both to the north and south of the city. An old network of good asphalt-paved cycle paths leads to it all, e.g. the Brabrand path which encircles Brabrand Lake. To the south of the city, there is a cycle path through the Marselisborg forests featuring a deer park and cosy inns, and to the north, the old cycle path runs through Risskov along the water. Get more inspiration from www.visitaarhus.dk.
Both in Copenhagen and Aarhus it is possible to rent good bikes with or without gear for one or more days. Have a look at rental shops on www.visitcopenhagen.com and www.visitaarhus.dk Search for bike rentals countrywide In both cities there are 'free' city bikes during the summer season, i.e. free in accordance with the shopping cart-principle: You deposit a 20 krone coin which you get back when you return the city bike. www.bycyklen.dk and www.aarhusbycykel.dk
It is always a good idea to have a proper map at hand. The tourist offices have maps of local as well as regional cycle paths and routes. Moreover, you can buy maps from book shops and The Danish Cyclists Federation.
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