You haven’t really seen Copenhagen until you’ve seen it from a saddle. This is one of the most cycle-friendly cities on earth — around half of all trips to work or education in the city are made by bike (49% in 2018), and hundreds of kilometres of dedicated, car-separated cycle track mean even a first-timer can glide across town without a wobble. Getting a bike rental sorted is easy, and you’ve got two routes to a set of wheels: an app like Donkey Republic, or a walk-in shop such as Baisikeli. (Bycyklen, the old city bikes with the white GPS tablets, stopped running in December 2022.) Below we compare the options, show where to find current prices, map the routes worth riding, and cover the rules and theft-proofing that’ll keep your trip smooth.
Cycling is the single best thing you can do to get around here, and it slots neatly into the rest of the network — bikes ride the trains, and the harbour bridges are built for two wheels. For the full transport picture, see our complete guide to getting around Copenhagen; this page is all about getting you on a bike.
Bike Rental at a Glance
| Provider | Type | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donkey Republic | App-based dock-less | Shown in the app | Spontaneous trips, multiple short rides |
| Baisikeli | Walk-in shop | Ask the shop | Budget multi-day rentals |
| Cykelfabrikken | Walk-in | Ask in the shop | Vesterbro location |
The Best Bike Rental Options
Donkey Republic — app-based, best for most visitors
Donkey Republic is the option most travellers reach for, and for good reason: it’s dock-less and app-run, with bikes at hundreds of locations around town. Download the app, register a card, scan a bike’s QR code, and you’re off — the app shows the current prices and membership options before you unlock. Drop it at any Donkey hub when you’re done. If you want maximum flexibility and no fixed return spot, start here.
Baisikeli — the budget walk-in
Baisikeli is the best-value walk-in, with a shop in Vesterbro. It rents both regular bicycles and cargo bikes and agrees prices with you directly, so ask what the rate covers (lock, helmet) when you book — and there’s a feel-good angle too, since it runs as a social enterprise. For an affordable multi-day rental in the centre, this is the pick.
Cykelfabrikken — Vesterbro walk-in
Cykelfabrikken in Vesterbro is a friendly walk-in with quality bikes; ask in the shop about rental rates and what comes with the bike. Handy if you’re based in that part of town and want to skip the app faff.
Why Copenhagen Is One of the World’s Most Cycle-Friendly Cities
It’s not just a nice reputation — the numbers back it up, and you feel the difference within five minutes of pedalling:
- Around half commute by bike — 49% of trips to work or education in the city were made by bike in 2018
- Hundreds of km of cycle tracks — physically separated from cars
- Bike traffic lights — many junctions have their own bike signals
- Right-hand priority — cyclists turn right freely without yielding
- Cargo bikes everywhere — Christiania Bikes, Bullitt and Larry vs Harry are all local
- Cykelslangen (the Bicycle Snake) — the iconic elevated cycle bridge in Vesterbro
- Inderhavnsbroen — the pedestrian-and-cycle bridge linking the centre to Christianshavn
- Year-round riding — locals cycle through the winter too
The Best Cycling Routes
Once you’ve got wheels, here’s where to point them. These five routes cover everything from a gentle first spin to a proper day out.
1. Harbour Loop
The classic, and the one to do first. Start at the Little Mermaid, roll south along Langelinie, cross Inderhavnsbroen to Christianshavn, carry on down to Reffen, then loop back over the Cykelslangen into Vesterbro. It threads together the big sights and the best bits of the cycle network in one go.
2. Refshaleøen Industrial Tour
From the centre across Inderhavnsbroen to Refshaleøen — a former shipyard reborn as a street-food and culture hub. Poke around Reffen, the climbing wall and the old shipyard sheds. Head back the way you came, or push on to Amager Strand for a swim.
3. Amager Beach + Naturpark
Ride from the centre via Christianshavn out to Amager Strand, then loop through the Amager Fælled nature park. It’s flat, easy and the pick of the bunch on a warm summer day.
4. Frederiksberg + Carlsberg + Tivoli
A westward spin through Vesterbro to the Carlsberg district, up to the leafy Frederiksberg Have, and back down the grand Frederiksberg Allé. Tree-lined the whole way, with cafés at every excuse to stop.
5. North to Klampenborg + Bakken
The big one. Follow the coast north through Hellerup to Klampenborg, Dyrehaven (the royal deer park) and Bakken, the oldest amusement park in the world. Make a day of it; it’s flat, and you can put the bike on the train back into town when your legs give out.
Cycling Rules and Etiquette
Copenhageners ride by the rules, and they’ll let you know (with a ring of the bell) if you don’t. Learn these before you set off:
- Right-turn signal — extend your right hand straight out before turning right
- Stop signal — raise your left hand straight up before stopping
- Keep right on the track — leave the left lane clear for faster riders
- Never ride on the pavement — it’s illegal and you can be fined
- Don’t jump red lights — locals obey the signals, and you can be fined
- Lights after dark — white front, red rear, required by law; riding without them can earn you a fine
- Helmets are optional for adults — recommended, not required
- Helmets for kids — not a legal requirement either, but a good idea for children
- One person per bike — no doubling up, except on cargo bikes
- Yield to pedestrians — they have right of way at crossings
Bike Theft and Security
Here’s the one real downside of a bike city: theft is rife. A little care goes a long way, so always:
- Use a U-lock — cable locks won’t cut it; rentals usually come with a U-lock
- Lock to a fixed object — a rack, lamppost or piece of street furniture, never just to itself
- Don’t leave it in remote spots overnight — a hotel or hostel courtyard is far safer
- Photograph your bike — useful for the police or insurance if it walks
- Ask about theft insurance — check whether your rental covers theft, and what you’d owe if the bike goes missing
Cargo Bikes and E-Bikes
The cargo bike is peak Copenhagen — how locals haul kids, groceries and the occasional Christmas tree. The brands to know:
- Christiania Bikes — the iconic three-wheeler with the big front box
- Larry vs Harry Bullitt — a Copenhagen-designed long, fast cargo bike
- Bullitt — the sleek, lightweight model from Larry vs Harry
- Babboe — a Dutch brand that’s caught on here for family hauling
Baisikeli rents cargo bikes alongside its regular ones, so ask the shop for a rate. For an e-bike, open the Donkey Republic app, which lists what’s available near you and what it costs. Riding with little ones? Our Copenhagen with kids guide has more on family cycling.
Taking Your Bike on the Metro and Trains
One of the joys of cycling here is that you don’t have to pedal both ways — bikes can ride the metro and S-tog, with a few rules:
- Metro — bikes allowed except 07:00-09:00 and 15:30-17:30 on weekdays; 15 DKK bike ticket
- S-tog (suburban trains) — bikes travel free, with no supplement
- Long-distance trains — reserve a bike place ticket (cykelpladsbillet), a flat 20 DKK on DSB long-distance and regional trains
- Ferries — bikes welcome, usually free or a small charge
See our Copenhagen Metro guide for the full transport rundown, or the train travel guide for the longer routes out of the city.
Bike Rental FAQs
How much does a bike rental cost in Copenhagen?
It depends on the bike and the provider. Donkey Republic shows its current prices in the app before you unlock a bike, while walk-in shops such as Baisikeli agree a rate with you directly, so ask what’s included when you book.
Where can I rent a bike?
Donkey Republic (app-based, with bikes at hundreds of locations), Baisikeli (walk-in) and Cykelfabrikken (Vesterbro). All show up on Google Maps.
Do I need a helmet?
No — Denmark has no helmet law for adults or children, and most shops include one free with a rental. They’re worth wearing if you’re not used to dense city cycling, and recommended for kids.
Is Copenhagen safe for cyclists?
Very. This is one of the safest places in the world to ride, thanks to separated tracks, dedicated bike signals and clear right-of-way rules. It’s far less nerve-wracking than New York, London or Paris.
Can I cycle here as a beginner?
Absolutely — it’s one of the most beginner-friendly cycling cities there is. Quiet residential streets and separated tracks suit every level. Get a feel for the rules on calmer Frederiksberg streets before tackling the busy harbour route.
How do I lock my bike?
Use a U-lock (your rental should include one) and secure the bike to a fixed rack, lamppost or piece of street furniture — never just to itself. After dark, secure hotel or courtyard parking is the safer bet.
Are e-bikes legal?
Yes — pedal-assist e-bikes are legal and ride on the cycle tracks like any other bike. Throttle-only e-bikes count as mopeds in Denmark and require separate registration.
Can children ride on the cycle tracks?
Yes, with sensible supervision, and the youngest can ride along in a cargo-bike box. Helmets aren’t compulsory for children in Denmark, though putting one on your child is wise. Our Copenhagen with kids guide has more family cycling tips.
Related Reading
- Crossing to Malmö — the Øresund train, the bridge, and what a day in Sweden costs.
- Getting in from the airport — the 13-minute Metro, the train, and when a taxi is worth it.
- Copenhagen walking tours
- Copenhagen Card review
- Sample itineraries for Copenhagen
- Transport tickets and zones — zones, ticket types and which fare works out cheapest.
- Things to do in Copenhagen
- Taxis and ride-hailing in Copenhagen
The Verdict
Renting a bike changes the trip. With a network of separated tracks hundreds of kilometres long, rentals for every budget, and infrastructure that forgives beginners, this is one of the best cities in the world to try urban cycling — even if you haven’t ridden in years. Grab Donkey Republic for spur-of-the-moment hops, or a walk-in shop for a multi-day set of wheels. Ride the Harbour Loop, take the Cykelslangen at least once, clamp on a U-lock, and you’ll fold right into the crowd of locals who already know their city is best seen from the saddle.
Last updated: July 2026. Photo credits: images via copenhagentourism.org media library.
