The Dutch
In the Netherlands, there are more bikes than people. Cycling in the Netherlands is often social and casual. The Dutch often cycle side-by-side to chat, sometimes in groups of three or four people. Sometimes they have someone sitting on the back of the bike and/or up front. In Sweden it looks more orderly. People often cycle behind each other and most Swedes wear a helmet or a ‘Hövding’. This is a great Swedish invention and the world’s first airbag bicycle helmet. You wear it like a collar around your neck and in the event of an accident, the airbag inflates like a hood that covers your head.
Sweden for cyclists
It’s the first time since we left the Netherlands that we are in a bike-loving country again and it is great. First of all, it’s a beautiful country and secondly, there’s a bike-friendly infrastructure (at least in most of the urban areas) and drivers are considerate when it comes to cyclists. Additionally, there are public electric bike pumps posted around the cities; how convenient! Yes, when the roads gets snowy and icy I prefer to walk but I noticed that a lot of Swedes just continue cycling, with or without spiked tires.
Rules
A few rules to keep in mind while cycling in Sweden:
- Helmets are mandatory until the age of 15
- Traffic lights apply to bikes too. You could be fined 1,500 SEK for running a red light.
- You are not allowed to ride your bike in a pedestrian area, on sidewalks or on a pedestrian crossing. Trust me, Swedes won’t like it if you do. If there is no bike path, you must ride on the right side of the road.
- There are parking spaces for bikes but ‘informal’ parking is also allowed as long as your bike is not in the way.
- You are not allowed to carry another person on a one-person bike unless it’s a child in a child seat.
- This might speak for itself but bikes need to be equipped with a working bell, lights, reflectors, brakes, etc.
- You are not allowed to ride a bike if you are drunk. While there is no legal limit for the alcohol volume accepted when riding a bike, the police can decide if you are not able to ride safely and fine you.
- Bikes aren’t allowed on most trains.
Cycling without age
Recently, I have not only been cycling to get myself around but I also take elderly people on bike rides. With a trishaw, I cycle with residents of a local nursing home. Cycling without age is a movement started in 2012 by Ole Kassow in Denmark. At present more than 1,200 chapter locations around the world offer Cycling Without Age. It is a wonderful initiative where the elderly get a chance to get out, enjoy the fresh air and the community around them and the most interesting stories are being shared during the ride.
Further reading
5 responses to “Cycling in Sweden”
Great post! I also cycle everywhere in Gothenburg and I love the freedom. I didn’t know about Cycling without age, what a great initiative!
You could add that:
Since 1st August the usage of the cycle lane (gc-bana) is not obligatory. Cyclist can bike on the road as well (despite having a cycle lane next to the road).
Pedestrians should walk on the left side of their walking direction in a shared bike lane (gc-bana)..
You provided good information and I would like to add one of the important things to your list. To have a cycling id tag or bands. Thanks
Hello, what do you mean with I’d? Can register my bike in some place?? Robbery has increased during the last year’s and if I understand correctly there is a way to register the bike, am I right?
Hi, do you know how to register a bicycle in Sweden?