Copenhagen Climate Mayor Proposes Citywide 30 km/h Speed Limit

Driving and cycling in Copenhagen may soon become much slower. Climate Mayor Line Barfod wants a 30 km/h speed limit across most of the city. The proposed rule aims to make roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians. It would also apply to bike lanes. This means fast electric bikes and mopeds must slow down too.

Major state roads connecting city infrastructure to motorways would not be included. Barfod plans to discuss national law changes with Transport Minister Signe Munk. Municipalities currently need greater power to set their own road limits.

Barfod noted that parents and elderly people feel unsafe on busy bike lanes. She wants a more respectful cycling culture and better conditions for cyclists. Denmark's cycling association Cyklistforbundet supports the initiative. Director Kenneth Øhrberg called the proposal common sense. He said 30 km/h would lower road deaths and reduce noise.

Research from Cyklistforbundet shows nine in ten soft road users survive crashes at 30 km/h. Only three in ten survive a crash at 50 km/h. Several city roads already use a 40 km/h limit. The original story was reported by local news outlet The Local.