Ten of the best Danish city bikes spotted at the Tour de France Grand Départ
By George Scott
Published: Wednesday, 06 July 2022 at 12:00 am
Millions of spectators may have lined the roads of Denmark’s capital city to greet the Grand Départ, but we didn’t need the arrival of the Tour de France in Copenhagen to confirm the country as a cycling-mad nation.
Copenhagen rightly has a reputation as one of the world’s most bike-friendly cities. Cycling is engrained in the fabric of everyday life, with cycle lanes criss-crossing the city and bikes lined up outside every bar, restaurant and apartment block.
The BikeRadar team may have been in Copenhagen for the start of the 2022 race to cast an eye over the latest five-figure Tour de France bikes, but with 10 minutes to spare on our final morning in the city, I also took a closer look at the bikes everyday Danes ride to work, school and the shops.
Bikes can be found lined up outside any Copenhagen office, shop, restaurant, bar or apartment block.George Scott / Our Media
Practicality is the name of the game here. On my old commute in London, go-fast, drop-bar road bikes would line-up for the Traffic Light Grand Prix on the elbow-to-elbow blast alongside the River Thames. In Copenhagen, flat bars, mudguards, in-built locks, kickstands and chainguards are key spec details.
Consider this an antidote to the rest of our Tour tech coverage (but do go and check that out, as well…).
A Dutch bike in Denmark
This is an excellent example of a Dutch bike in Copenhagen.George Scott / Our Media
Here’s a bike that represents the pinnacle of everyday style and practicality from a brand – Mustang – that can be found on just about every street corner in Copenhagen.
This is the archetypal Dutch bike, with everything you need for city riding: an upright position, sensible tyres, a rack and basket, kickstand, chainguard, flat pedals, bell and lights. It’s very smart, too, with a black finish and tan contact points.
Family fleet
A trio of family city bikes in Copenhagen.George Scott / Our Media
Cycling is a family affair in Copenhagen, with this trio of bikes racked-up alongside one another ready for the ride to school.
Practicality extends to kids’ bikes in Denmark, too.
A Catalyst for commuting
This Cannondale Catalyst has been given a new lease of life.George Scott / Our Media
Most city bikes in Copenhagen are purpose-built for the job, but there’s still life in this old Cannondale Catalyst, now being put to use for urban duties.
The Catalyst has disappeared from Cannondale’s range, but the hardtail mountain bike has a few improvised practical touches for city life, even if it can’t match purpose-built bikes.
Commuting gains
An aero city bike? You love to see it.George Scott / Our Media
We couldn’t put together a Tour de France-inspired gallery – even one of city bikes – without an aero bike. This mash-up of wild aero tube profiles and big city practicality caught the eye.