Axel May (special envoy to Copenhagen), edited by Solène Leroux
modified to
1:44 p.m., June 30, 2022
Among the Danes, cycling is a real way of life. The Tour de France riders will set off from this Scandinavian country this Friday. When you drive around Copenhagen, you see more bicycles than vehicles. According to figures provided by the municipality, there are even five times more bicycles than cars in the Danish capital.
The Tour de France riders will set off from Copenhagen in Denmark this Friday. For the first time in history, the Grande Boucle will pass through a Scandinavian country. Among the Danes, cycling is a real way of life. When you drive around Copenhagen, you see more bicycles than vehicles. According to figures provided by the municipality, there are even five times more bicycles than cars in the Danish capital. Wednesday evening, during the official presentation of the Tour de France teams in the city center, the local riders, ten in number, were obviously very applauded.
Like Kasper Asgreen who explains how his country is a land of cycling: “Almost everyone starts cycling before they know how to walk. People grow up cycling. There is a fantastic cycling community in Denmark “, he assures the microphone of Europe 1. In Copenhagen, there is even a funeral company specializing in the transport of coffins on cargo bikes.
First cycle path in 1892
Friday, for the inaugural time trial, the Tour will pass in front of the emblematic Little Mermaid, but will also take the Queen Louise bridge where you can be caught in bike traffic jams because this bridge is so busy. The first cycle path in Copenhagen dates back to 1892. In Denmark, cycling is more a means of transport than a sport. The big start of the Tour has necessarily boosted sports practice.
“On the road to the Tour” in South Europe
From July 1 to 24 at midday, find “Sur la route du Tour”, a daily point of decryption of the Tour De France, with a French giant of French cycling and consultant for Europe 1: Richard Virenque.