In this guide
💡 The Short Version: Keep right, stop on the right, and put a hand out to turn or stop: right hand out to turn right, left hand out to turn left, left hand raised to stop. Turn left in two crossings: straight across, wait, then cross the other road. Use lights when it is dark and keep the phone in your pocket. Avoid 07:00 to 09:00 and 15:00 to 17:00 on the big streets. Hire by app (Donkey Republic), from a shop or from your hotel. A bike needs a ticket on the metro and on regional trains, and is free on S-trains and buses. Or book a ride: the e-bike rentalad is from DKK 464 for 7 hours up to 5 days, and the 3-hour guided bike tourad DKK 399 (GetYourGuide).
The rules visitors break
These are the rules Visit Copenhagen gives, from the Danish Police and the Danish Road Safety Council.
- Keep right unless you are passing.
- Stop on the right. Stopping in the middle of a bike lane is dangerous.
- Show what you will do. Turn right with the right hand out, turn left with the left hand out, and stop by raising your left hand.
- Turn left in two crossings. Go straight across, wait, then cross the other road.
- Lights when it is dark.
- Phone in your pocket while you ride.
- Avoid the rush hours of 07:00 to 09:00 and 15:00 to 17:00 and, if you are new to a bike here, the larger streets and the inner city, where the bike lanes can be hectic.
- Stay clear of electric bikes unless you are an experienced cyclist.
Cyclists on a bike lane at a junction in central Copenhagen. Photo: News Oresund, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
Hiring a bike
| Where | What |
|---|---|
| Donkey Republic | Pedal and electric bikes by app, 24 hours a day, from hundreds of locations, which you lock and unlock as often as you like. The price per ride, day or subscription shows in the app |
| Tours Copenhagen | Jopo and Mustang city bikes, e-bikes and family cargo bikes for 3 hours, a day or several days, at Nikolaj Plads 34. The office is open 9:00 to 15:30. A cargo bike carries 2 or 3 children and an adult |
| E-bike rental on GetYourGuidead | From DKK 464, for 7 hours up to 5 days, 4.7 stars from 42 reviews |
| Baisikeli, Tropical Bikes, Rosenborg Cykler, City Bike Adventures, Green Bike Tours, Bike Tours Copenhagen, beCopenhagen | Rental shops listed by Visit Copenhagen, several of which also run guided tours |
| Family Bike and Copenhagen Bicycles | Cargo bikes for families, and group hire with delivery and pick-up |
| Your hotel | Many lend or rent bikes, either free or as an add-on |
Bike-hire prices are on the shops’ own booking pages. Copenhagen bike tours compares the guided rides if you would rather follow a guide for the first day.
The Cykelslangen cycle bridge over the harbour. Photo: News Oresund, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
Bikes on the metro, S-trains and buses
| Transport | Bike rule |
|---|---|
| S-train | Free in the Copenhagen City Area |
| Bus | Free in the Copenhagen City Area; buses take two bikes, at the driver’s discretion |
| Harbour bus | Free in the Copenhagen City Area |
| Metro | A bicycle ticket is required; no bikes on weekdays 07:00 to 09:00 and 15:30 to 17:30 |
| Regional and InterCity trains | A bicycle ticket is required |
On the coast line to Louisiana a special bicycle ticket is needed, and bikes can be hired at Humlebæk Centre, by the station, with bicycle parking near the museum entrance. Louisiana and Kronborg are on the same line. Copenhagen public transport has the rest of the ticket rules.
An S-train with bike symbols on its windows. Photo: Smiley.toerist, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Which to take
- A first day, with a guide: a bike tour, 2 to 3 hours, which reaches Nyhavn, the Little Mermaid and Rosenborg.
- By the hour or day, no desk: Donkey Republic’s app.
- A family with small children: a cargo bike from Tours Copenhagen, Family Bike or Rosenborg Cykler.
- Less effort: an e-bike, if you are an experienced cyclist.
- Not riding: the metro and S-trains, or a City Pass Small at DKK 100.
What to book before you go to Copenhagen lists the closed days for every sight on your route, and Copenhagen airport to the city says where the metro starts. Hotels near Copenhagen Central Station are a short ride from most of the centre.
Common questions
What are the main cycling rules in Copenhagen?
Keep right unless you are passing, use lights when it is dark and leave your phone in your pocket. Put your right hand out to turn right, your left hand out to turn left and raise your left hand to stop. When turning left, use two crossings: go straight across, wait, then cross the other road.
Where can I hire a bike in Copenhagen?
Donkey Republic hires pedal and electric bikes by app, 24 hours a day, from hundreds of locations. Visit Copenhagen also lists the shops Baisikeli, Tropical Bikes, Rosenborg Cykler, City Bike Adventures, Green Bike Tours, Bike Tours Copenhagen and beCopenhagen. Many hotels lend or rent bikes.
When should I avoid cycling in Copenhagen?
Visit Copenhagen advises avoiding the morning rush hour, 07:00 to 09:00, and the late afternoon rush hour, 15:00 to 17:00, and avoiding the larger streets and the inner city, where the bike lanes can be hectic.
Can I take my bike on the metro or train in Copenhagen?
On the metro and on regional and InterCity trains you need a bicycle ticket, and bikes are not allowed on the metro on weekdays 07:00 to 09:00 and 15:30 to 17:30. Bikes are free on S-trains, buses and harbour buses in the Copenhagen City Area.
Are electric bikes safe for visitors?
Visit Copenhagen advises staying clear of electric bikes unless you are an experienced cyclist. Stopping in the middle of a bike lane is dangerous: stop on the right.
How much does bike hire cost in Copenhagen?
Donkey Republic shows its price per ride, day or subscription in its app only. An e-bike rental on GetYourGuide is from DKK 464, for 7 hours up to 5 days. Hire shops publish their prices on their own booking pages.
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