Cycling the Danish way Workshop Euro Velo 3 St. James Way Klaus Bondam, Director at The Danish Cultural Institute/Benelux Thursday December 8 2011
Our two main visions in Copenhagen
Ecometropolis Climate Capital World s best city for cycling A green and blue capital city A Metropolis for People More urban life for all More people walk more More people staying longer A clean and healthy major city
World s best city for cycling (Ecometropolis) At least 50% of people will go to their work or educational institution in Copenhagen by bike. (today 36 %) The number of seriously injured cyclists in Copenhagen to be halved compared to today. (To day 118 cyclists a year) At least 80% of cyclists in Copenhagen to feel safe and secure in traffic. (To day 58 %)
Copenhagen Modal Split - All Trips (2006)
Why do Copenhageners cycle? It s faster 55% It s more convenient 33% It s healthy 32% It s cheap 29% Good way to start The day 21% Shortest route to work 10% Environment/climate 9%
What Copenhageners like about cycling? Feel good! De-stress Relaxing Discovery Lots of cycle tracks Seasons
Traffic Policy More: Bikes+pedestrians Metro Bus priority Restrictions on private cars Less: Air-pollution Accidents Noise CO 2 emissions
KLAUS BONDAM MAYOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNICAL AND ADMINISTRATION THE CITY OF COPENHAGEN
Climate change benefit in Copenhagen 90,000 Tons CO2 saved annually (compared to the same number of kilometers by car).
Health effects Physically active individuals live 5 years longer than inactive individuals Active individuals have 4 fewer years of severe illness than inactive individuals Traffitec 2006 One extra kilometer cycled gives an average gain in health- and production-related benefits of about 1 USD. Cowi 2008 Children that cycles to school has 10 % better physical condition Children that starts cycling at 9 years of age - still has almost 10% better physical condition Adults that cycles to work - or every day - has 30% lower mortality rate Statements from survey by: Proffessor Dr. Med. Lars Andersen, Syddansk Universitet :
Cycling figures in hard cash When a person chooses to cycle this is a clear gain for society of 0,2 USD per cycled kilometre. Conversly, society suffers a net loss of 0,1 USD per kilometre driven by car. In cost-benefit terms the health and life expectancy benefits of cycling are seven times greater that the accidents cost. The cost of a bicycle is 0,05 USD per cycled kilometre covering perchase price and mainenace. The equivalent cost for a car is 0,3 USD per driven kilometre. The City of Copenhagen (2008) using The Danish Ministry of Transports manual for calculating cost-benefit.
Health benefits from a 10% increase in cycling Annual savings will be : Healthcare savings $12 USD mill Reduced production losses $31 USD mill 3.3% drop in absence from work 61.000 extra years of life 46.000 fewer years of severe illness 25.000 fewer early retirements (Traffitec 2006)
Green Cycle Routes
Innovation: What is this?
Parking for cargo-bikes
Innovation; Green Wave through traffic lights
Bike-commuting in and out of Copenhagen 1 of 3 with 4-9 km to work commutes on bicycle 1 of 10 commuters with 10-15 km to work commutes on bicycle 100.000 people with 4-15 km to work commute to or from City of Copenhagen 1 of 5 commutes between Copenhagen and suburbs on bicycle
Political incentives Less congestion Better environment Improved health Easy to achieve results Cheap and visible effects Public opinion is in favour!
What will it take? Improved infrastructure Network + facilities Comfort measures Campaigning Innovation
The target is a liveable, sustainable city. A city is not just about the enviroment. It s also about social sustainability, quality of life. Our vision is that a city is a place where people can see and meet each other. To often the objective of urban planning seems to be traffic flow, Traffic is not the target. Traffic is part of city life, not the other way arround. Helle Søholt, partner Gehl Architects.
Thank you for your attention see you in Denmark bondam@dkibenelux.org