A recent study by the European Cycling Union has emphasised that if all Europeans used their bicycles as often as the Danish, Europe could reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 60% and thus hit the targets fixed for 2050. We focus on Copenhagen, the model town in terms of soft transport.
For the European Cycling Union, Denmark is a paragon of green mobility. In a recent study, the Union announced that emulating the Danes’ cycling habits (an average of 1.6 miles a day) could be a way for the European Union to respect its commitment towards reducing emissions in the transport sector by 2050.
The conclusions of this study are clear cut. And the advantages are not uniquely environmental: the bicycle also stands out from the crowd because it costs less than other means of transport. If the European Commission’s White Paper on Transport were to incorporate a cycling policy, it would therefore be beneficial in many ways.
Copenhagen, a model of sustainable mobility
Copenhagen is also a pioneer in the adoption of bike-sharing schemes. While its Bycyklen have been available since 1995, the Danish capital is planning significant changes for the stations, so as they take up less public space. Underground or hanging stations with futuristic designs could thus soon see the day in Denmark.
It’s not just its bike use that makes Copenhagen unique in terms of sustainable mobility. It also has many initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
A toll for motorists heading into the capital could thus be put into place by 2014. This tax would effectively ease traffic flow and improve air quality. Although it is controversial, it demonstrates nonetheless Copenhagen’s willingness to remain the European model of sustainable mobility that it already embodies.
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