Making My Way Downtown :D
COPENHAGEN, DK—As an avid Citi Bike rider in NYC, I knew I would immerse myself in Copenhagen’s prominent biking lifestyle as soon as I arrived. And it’s turned out to be better than anything I could’ve expected. The biking infrastructure appears as separated paths in between the road and the sidewalk, and not just a narrow green strip that cars more often than not cross into. Bikers uniformly stay on the right side of the track in a single-file line, with the left half reserved for speeders like me who struggle to leave behind the hustle culture of city life. Then there’s the unspoken law to signal when turning or stopping, which I learned the hard way (along with some Danish curses) when I did not raise my hand before abruptly hitting the brakes on my first trip.
Central to my biking journey here is Swapfiets, a Dutch company that translates as "Swap Bike." As a certified B Corp, they're dedicated to reducing their climate impact, repairing and donating bikes to those in need, promoting circular practices, and advocating for sustainable transportation at global events like COP27. Rather than a bikeshare program like Citi Bike, Swapfiets offers a subscription service where customers pay a monthly fee in exchange for their own bike. At just under $25/month for students, it comes at a noticeably higher price point than Citi Bike’s $18/month although the perks arguably make the difference worth it. For starters, the metro in Copenhagen starts at around $3.5 per trip - which can go even higher depending on the distance traveled - as opposed to NYC’s flat $2.9 per ride, meaning the savings are even greater. Users also don’t need to worry about the availability of bikes or location of docks as they can get directly from point A to B, while maintenance and repair services are included as part of the subscription.
This turned out to be a much needed perk, as my front light stopped working after a few weeks. The automatic lights are powered by magnets when pedaling and don’t use batteries, so I had to get it fixed as Danish law requires bike lights from dusk till dawn. At the store, I had the opportunity to chat with Alicia, one of the store assistants. She shared insights into her experience working for Swapfiets for the past 1.5+ years while simultaneously pursuing a master's degree, and her passion for the company's mission and the sense of community it fosters was palpable. Alicia emphasized Swapfiets' commitment to providing reliable and sustainable transportation solutions, reflecting the company's ethos of prioritizing customer satisfaction and environmental responsibility. It was evident that for Alicia and many others, Swapfiets is more than just a bike rental service—it was a symbol of a lifestyle centered around sustainability, mobility, and community engagement.
My experience with Swapfiets in Copenhagen has not only transformed my daily commute but also deepened my appreciation for the city's biking culture and the innovative solutions offered by companies like Swapfiets. Through their subscription service and dedication to customer satisfaction, Swapfiets has undoubtedly become an integral part of my life in Copenhagen, shaping my perception of urban mobility and sustainable living.
