Aarhus, Denmark's second-largest city with a population of over 336,000, has invested heavily in a vast cycling infrastructure.

The city has designated safe and efficient bike lanes and paths that traverse over 400 kilometres in length to connect all of its neighbourhoods.

With a goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2030, Aarhus has made significant efforts to reduce car traffic and encouraged residents to choose bikes over cars whenever possible.

Residents are not only committed to cycling for their own personal benefit but also for the greater good of the environment.

The cycling culture in Aarhus is interwoven in the daily life of the city.

There are numerous cycling clubs and organisations that cater to everyone from competitive cyclists to leisurely weekend riders.

These groups organise group rides, races and other events that promote cycling as a fun and healthy way to stay active and connect with others.

Aarhus Cycling Festival, which is held every August, is a celebration of the cycling culture in Aarhus.

The festival, which attracts cyclists from all over Denmark and beyond, holds bike races, group rides and family-friendly activities.

Taking advantage of scenic bike paths in the city that wind through parks and along the on the Jutland peninsula’s east coast, cycling in Aarhus is an opportunity to connect with nature and explore the city at a leisurely pace.

Like Danes Do

Aarhus has the highest concentration of internationals and international students in Denmark with many who enjoy biking in the city like everyone else.

 “I like the bike-friendly atmosphere in Aarhus,” Igarashi Chen, who moved to Aarhus last summer from Taiwan, told Ahram Online.

“I passed through a construction area one time and found that they made a nice slope for bikers to pass,” Chen said.

“But, Aarhus can be difficult to bike in any weather because of the hills. In the summer, you sweat a lot. In the winter, it gets too cold and windy not to mention the rain when you go home at night after work,” Chen added.

Marcela Diana Sanchez, another international university student, told us that she appreciates safety measures that are in place for bikers in the city.

“There are a lot of bike lanes and drivers respect cyclists,” Sanchez said.

“The hills of the city can be challenging but overall I think biking in Aarhus is pretty easy,” She added.

Aarhus' commitment to cycling is reflected in the city's architecture and landscaping.

Many buildings in the city designate safe bike racks for cyclists.

Moreover, many busses and trains in the public transportation system are equipped with bike racks for easy transport.