By Troels Andersen, COWI A/S
Until the late nineties all Danish cycle campaigns focused on the prevention of cycle accidents. The campaigns are mainly based on the initiative of the Road Safety Council, the Road Directorate and the municipalities in cooperation.
Later on the major cities have started cycle promotion campaigns, sometimes in cooperation with the Cyclist Federation. These campaigns as focusing on improving health by attracting more cyclists, and by that also getting a better local environment.
One of the best known campaigns ‘We’re Cycling to Work’ is covering the whole country and has been a yearly event ever since 1997.
Odense is one of the leading cycle cities. The national cycle city project increased cycling by 20 % and cycle events and campaigns covered half of the total budget – an example to show how campaigns really can boost physicals improvements.
Cities like Copenhagen and Århus has budgets for a number of upcoming cycle campaigns, and others will follow.
