Copenhagen Brings Green Waves for Cyclists
The newly proposed Green Waves
A Shift in Priorities
As part of the city’s new budget agreement, Copenhagen will implement green waves for cyclists on 15 key streets, including Vesterbrogade-Vigerslev Allé, Nørrebrogade, Amagerbrogade, Jagtvej, and Østerbrogade-Østerport. The goal is clear: fewer unnecessary red lights, smoother rides, and a traffic system that finally begins to prioritize the mode of transport that moves the most people most sustainably.
This is a win worth celebrating. It shows that cyclists are finally being prioritized in the everyday flow of the city, even on streets where traffic lights have long been programmed to favor cars. But it also highlights how deeply entrenched car-normativity still is, even in one of the world’s leading cycling capitals.
One clear example is Vester Voldgade. More than ten years ago, the street was redesigned to prioritize people walking and cycling, with wide bike lanes, broad sidewalks, limited car space, and plenty of trees. Later, the opening of Lille Langebro doubled the number of cyclists using the corridor by connecting it directly to Amager.
Yet the traffic light programming was never updated to reflect this new reality. Cyclists on Vester Voldgade still have to stop repeatedly at intersections where the signals continue to favor cars. This mismatch between street design and signal programming shows just how persistent car-first planning can be, even on streets purpose-built for sustainable mobility.
From Early Pilots to a Broader Rollout
The green wave concept has been part of Copenhagen’s cycling story for two decades:
Already in 2007, pilot projects on Nørrebrogade, Østerbrogade, and Farimagsgade reduced cyclist travel times by 17% and cut the number of stops dramatically.
Signals are typically programmed to match an average cycling speed of 20 km/h, ensuring smooth flows during rush hours.
Previous systems have used detection technology to recognize groups of cyclists and keep the lights green as they approach.
Cycling in Copenhagen Today
62% of Copenhageners commute to work or study by bike, covering more than 1.2 million kilometers every day. The city already has around 350 km of dedicated bike lanes and 43 km of green cycle routes, with plans to expand the network by another 70 km by 2026.
Yet car traffic remains a challenge. It still accounts for about a third of the city’s CO₂ emissions, and despite major political commitments, investments in cycling often lag behind the ambitions.
Small Steps, Bigger Strategy
The new initiative is a clear signal: breaking with car-normativity requires both symbolic and practical measures. Green waves are a powerful example, they make cycling faster and more attractive, while also symbolizing a shift in how the city values sustainable mobility.
Rolling out green waves on 15 corridors is both a practical improvement and a symbolic step. It’s proof that Copenhagen continues to move forward, but also a reminder that even here, the car still too often sets the standard.
If you want to experience world-class bicycle planning firsthand, Nordic Path offers tailored tours and insights into Copenhagen’s cycling infrastructure and urban strategies, connecting the policy, the design, and the everyday life on two wheels.
