After years of waiting (eight to be exact), Copenhagen finally got its missing link. Cykelslangen, or Cycle Snake, is an elevated orange bike lane, wriggling its way over the harbour, seamlessly connecting the highway and the harbour bridge. Up until now our only options consisted of pushing our bikes up and down steep stairs, or taking ridiculous detours, in a narrow space haphazardly shared with pedestrians.



Looking at it now, the solution seems so obvious: an elevated two-way bike lane at the first-floor level, leaving pedestrians on the ground, with the added benefit of a less stressful atmosphere. Even on our best behaviour, bad or insufficient city planning creates tension. But good design can relieve it, as is the case with Cykelslangen.

Crossing Copenhagen's Cykelslangen – video

When you think about it, the concept of an elevated road is not even that far-fetched: we have been doing this for cars for decades. It is odd, even, that it took us this long to get one, considering its overwhelmingly positive reception.

It is one of those rare occurrences in Copenhagen where seemingly everyone is happy. Cars have not had to budge an inch, the lower level has been returned to pedestrians, and cyclists love it. Besides easing the transition from highway to bike bridge, it is a pure joy to ride. At 4m across, the Cycle Snake is wide enough for you to overtake a cargo bike, as it would have to be in Copenhagen, although I don’t see why anyone would want to rush this ride. Crossing the 220m of snake will take you less than a minute, at a comfortable pace, without stressing out your fellow cyclists. And riding over water while taking in the view is exhilarating.

Copenhagen's Cykelslangen. Photograph: Sandra Hoj Photograph: Sandra Hoj

Infrastructure works the same for cars and for bikes: if you build it, they will come. We are in an ongoing struggle for space in Copenhagen, with an unfair amount of it still reserved for cars, but every cycle bridge and bike lane is a win. And more bike bridges are on their way. Once you cross one, there is no going back: you start dreaming of more.

The bike is the Copenhagener's preferred method of transportation, creating pressure for more and better infrastructure. Fortunately, the city is picking up the pace, connecting the dots and thinking in continuous bike lanes. They call these safe corridors “super bikeways”, but really all they are is just road space for bikes. Elevated or not, no city should be without it.

Copenhagen's Cykelslangen. Photograph: Sandra Hoj Photograph: Sandra Hoj

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