4 - Copenhagen, Bycyklen

Flights to Copenhagen from £84rtn pp Compare all offers

The Danish capital is one of the world's cycling heavens: flat, small and with a highly developped cycle path network throughout the city, the Danes, and in particular residents of Copenhagen, have had a long-lasting love affair with with a high proportion commuting daily by bike.

It comes as no surprise then that this was the first city in the world to implement a bike share scheme on a large-scale back in 1995. And the best thing about the system is that it's completely free! All users need in order to rent a bike is a 20DKK or 2 euro coin as a deposit; there's no subscription, no need for a bank card and no time limit. However, there are some surprising disadvantages to the program. The 2,000 bicycles are only available from mid-April until November - the rest of the year they are taken away to be repaired as upkeep during the riding season is not particularly good. It is also impossible to use the bikes at night as there are no lamps provided and users must stay within a restricted zone or face a £90 fine if caught outside. Use of the bikes is also not permitted in parks. Despite these limitations, the system remains the fastest way to circulate in the city and is perfect for stopping off and checking out the city's sights wherever and whenever you want as you'll never have to pay for keeping the bike for the whole day - and true to the Danish design heritage, the bikes are pretty too!

For more info check out the Bycyklen Copenhagen website.

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