more people are wearing helmets....
Was remarking to a colleague's partner that I had seen a lot of helmets (more than previous discussions would have led me to expect), and he said that he thought more people were wearing them these days. If that is true, it causes some problems for the 'make it chic and they will come' brigade. Of course, he was wearing a helmet and lycra-like kit, and is a keen racer as well as commuter :)
To be honest, I've been more struck by the prams than the bikes -- lots of old fashioned style big prams and modern variants of the style, but very few maclaren style strollers, and not very many of the trendy 'bugaboo' style buggies either.
During my first day, walking around in the afternoon, I was struck that I saw relatively few christiania style bikes, but more seemed to come out at the end of the day. Bike seats all very minimalist though. Almost all the kids in cargobikes and seats wearing helmets. Adult helmets mostly the trendy sort that look like 1970s era hockey helmets, but a few (including my friend above) in 'racing' style ones.
The touring/commuting bikes really are lovely. There are several I'd love to import/ride, but actually striking how similar they all are.
Also saw an awful lot of people cycling without lights, but locals assure me that this is just because it is a transition period and people have forgotten to bring them. Also amusing to see lots of bikes parked in places plastered with signs saying 'bike parking here forbudt' (can't remember the rest of the danish, but 'forbudt' sticks in my mind).
The only other thing that really struck me was the minimalist locks -- lots of bikes apparently unlocked, or locked just with those locks built into the frame that go through the wheels. U-locks not ubiquitous at all. Paradoxically, though, I was told that there is a problem with christiania trikes being stolen.
The bike lanes etc seem to live up to the billing, but definitely the best things I've seen are the carriages for bikes (actually, I _think_ they said 'flexible space for bikes, prams etc - which seemed quite sensible). Anyway, these carriages, with bike racks down one side and fold down seats on the other seemed quite easy to use and plentiful - although getting bikes up and down into the metro stations a bit more of a challenge.
Quite interesting, after all the debates, to see 'copenhagenizing' for myself. Just wish I had longer to out for some rides!
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