10 Things You Need to Know Before Renting a Cargo Bike in Copenhagen
One of my favorite things about Copenhagen is the massive bike culture. It’s said that nine out of ten Danes have a bike and 49% of all work or school trips are made by bike (that’s totally crazy compared to the US).
Once you get to Copenhagen, you’ll immediately see that those stats must be true because there are SO. MANY. CYCLISTS.
Almost every street in the city has a center lane for cars next to a protected lane for cyclists next to a path for pedestrians. It’s amazing.
This serious biking culture is something that really makes this city unique and there’s no better way to experience it than by renting a cargo bike in Copenhagen.
Having lived in Denmark for the past 5 years, we’ve made quite a few trips to Copenhagen. We’ve taken our own bikes to the city plus we’ve rented cargo bikes two additional times to explore.
We’ve enjoyed cargo biking so much that we are *this* close to purchasing our own (when in Rome as they say).
So this post is here to let you know the ins and outs of things to know about cargo bike rentals in Copenhagen including tips for a fun, safe ride and things to look for when picking your rental company.
*There are affiliate links in this post. Read my privacy/disclosure policy to learn more.
10 things to know before Renting a bike in Copenhagen
1. You’ll feel like a local on a cargo bike
One of the best ways to look and feel like a local in Copenhagen is to cycle in the city. The most fun way of cycling in Copenhagen (in my opinion) is via a cargo bike.
Although cargo bikes may not be common where you come from, they are very common in Copenhagen and hardly used by tourists. If you’re worried about standing out, don’t be… you’ll actually fit right in.
I love seeing families taking their kids to and from school on their cargo bikes. You may see a dad pushing a mom holding a young child or a mom pushing multiple kids in one basket. It’s such a sweet thing.
Or you’ll see people using cargo bikes to transport actual cargo from one end of the city to another. I’ve seen some pretty crazy things being transported via bike in Copenhagen.
One time someone had a large wardrobe or dresser halfway hanging out of their basket with one hand steering and one hand holding the dresser in place (it was pretty wild).
If you pick up a cargo bike hire in Copenhagen, you’ll feel like a true Dane in no time.
2. Copenhagen is one of the safest cities for Cylclists in the world
Amsterdam and Copenhagen seem to bounce back and forth between the best cities for bikes in the world (I’ve been to both and I vote that Copenhagen wins, but I may be bias 😉).
The infrastructure Denmark has invested into their cities to make them bike-friendly (especially Copenhagen) is amazing.
Copenhagen has protected bike lanes, traffic signals for bikes, so much bike parking and even balancing bars for cyclists to hold at some stop lights.
As a pedestrian in the city, you must be sure to take bike traffic seriously! Be sure to not step out into that bike lane or you’ll get plowed over the same as if you stepped into a road.
3. Renting Cargo Bikes in Copenhagen is super fun for Both Families & Friends
The best option for a family bike rental in Copenhagen is to book 1-2 cargo bikes to fit everyone! We’ve always loved our experiences with cargo biking in Copenhagen. It’s super fun no matter the makeup of the group you’re traveling with.
Most recently we rented cargo bikes in CPH with not only us and our two kids but also my sister, her three kids, and grandma!
We’ve also seen couples on cargo bikes (one in the basket and one driving 😍) and of course smaller families than our huge biker gang.
It’s fun for whoever gets to ride in the cart (kids and adults) cause you get to relax and enjoy the sights of the city but it’s faster than walking so you can stop at places further away!
4. Biking is a great way to Navigate Copenhagen
Copenhagen isn’t huge which makes it a very walkable city, however, there are some sights that are a bit far out (we’re looking at you Little Mermaid Statue and Superkilen Park).
Of course, you can take public transit and get wherever you need. But if you do that, you may be underground and miss the views and vibe of Copenhagen.
So if you bike you not only 1. get to participate in the local culture but 2. it’s just a super convenient way to get around. And there is bike parking EVERYWHERE so it’s super easy to stop wherever you want.
5. Cargo Bikes are Pretty easy to learn How to Ride
If you’re feeling worried about cargo biking, no need! They may seem a bit big and overwhelming to navigate, but after a few minutes of practice you’ll catch on.
We rented from Loop Rentals and they had instructional videos we watched beforehand which were helpful.
If you keep feeling nervous about it but still would love the experience, I suggest booking one of these guided cargo bike tours from the same company we rented our bikes from.
Or rather you could opt for a traditional bike tour (like this one) rather than a cargo bike tour. That’s also a great option.
6. You’ll Want to Rent an electric cargo bike
If you are looking to rent a cargo bike in Copenhagen, I definitely recommend an electric cargo bike rather than a manual cargo bike (some rental shops offer both).
Although Copenhagen is a very flat city and not too large, the cargo bike gets quite heavy once you toss a couple of people in. It’s just a smoother, more relaxing experience riding an electric one and you’ll be able to cover more ground.
And not to worry, electric cargo bikes are the go-to cargo bike used by Danes so you aren’t cheating by booking an electric one 😉.
7. You can Park anywhere you’d Park a traditional bike
There is SO much bike parking in Copenhagen. If you really want to be amazed, swing by the main Copenhagen Central train station and you’ll see rows on rows on rows of bikes with even double-decker bike storage!
But if you’re worried that there will be nowhere to leave your cargo bike when you want to stop and visit a site, don’t be. You’ll find bike parking just about everywhere.
8. a few different companies rent cargo Bikes in Copenhagen
I’ve researched multiple cargo bike rental companies in Copenhagen and have rented from two of them.
I won’t recommend the first company we rented from because we weren’t satisfied with the quality of the bike or their service.
However, I can highly recommend Loop Rentals who we rented from our second time cargo biking in the city. The bikes were in great shape, they were on top of customer service and their website had helpful instructional videos.
Loop Rentals rents electric cargo bikes plus electric rickshaw-style bikes which are more comfortable for adults (that’s what we rented for grandma to catch a ride in). They also have helmets you can rent for adults and kids.
They are located a bit out of the city center, however, it’s a nice ride into the city center from there.
Pick-up is located in a parking garage which is super convenient if you have a car with you.
Or it’s just a couple-minute walk from both a bus and metro stop which also makes it easy to access via public transit.
Another company we have looked at which rents both electric cargo bikes and rickshaws and has two pickup points in Central Copenhagen is Family Bike Copenhagen. We’ve never rented from them but it is tempting with their convenient drop-off and pick-up spots.
Things to think about when choosing a cargo bike rental company in Copenhagen:
-Do they rent electric cargo bikes or just manual cargo bikes?
-Do they rent enough cargo bikes to fit our entire group?
-Do they rent helmets?
– Is the pickup point convenient for you?
9. You can also book Cargo Bike Tours in Copenhagen
If you’re someone who loves a good tour once in a while (I know I am) I recommend booking a guided cargo bike tour of Copenhagen. Loop Rentals that we rented from also does guided tours which have high reviews.
A cargo bike tour is a great way to go if you want to learn more about Copenhagen while you hit top sites along with lesser-reached destinations.
You’ll also get more one-on-one help learning how to ride the cargo bike and how to navigate the bike lanes in Copenhagen if you book a tour.
Conversely, there are plenty of traditional bike tours in Copenhagen to choose from (not cargo bikes) that may also be a great option for you. This 3-hour Copenhagen bike tour has great reviews!
10. Watch this Helpful video about Bike Rules in Copenhagen Before Riding
Before our first time biking in Copenhagen, I stumbled upon this super helpful video on YouTube which cleverly demonstrates all of Copenhagen’s bike rules.
For example, you may think that if you need to turn left you enter car traffic and make a left-hand turn among all the cars. However, that’s not the case in Copenhagen (thankfully!).
Rather, you ride across the intersection, signal a stop, turn your bike to the left, wait for the bike signal to turn green, and then go again ( don’t worry, the video shows it perfectly).
Some of the other topics the video covers are things like how you need to stay to the right of the bike lane unless you are passing, to not ride on sidewalks, and what areas bikes are not allowed.
We watched the video again when we took family biking in Copenhagen and they agreed that it was super helpful.
Cargo Bike REntal in Copenhagen Conclusion
I think that hiring cargo bikes in Copenhagen (or if nothing else, normal bikes) is one of the best ways to explore the city. Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions (or shoot me a message) and I’ll be sure to get back to you!
Check out these other Copenhagen posts, I know you’ll love them:
- 24 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Copenhagen Denmark
- How to Visit Islands Brygge Harbour Bath in Copenhagen (Havnebadet Islands Brygge)
- The Only Itinerary You Need for One Day in Copenhagen
- 13 of the Best Playgrounds in Copenhagen to Add to Your Itinerary
- 8 Unique Canal Tours in Copenhagen You Need to Book
- The Ultimate Cheap Eats Copenhagen Food Guide
- 8 Incredible and Budget-Friendly Copenhagen Hotels
- 8 Awesome LEGO Things You Need to See in Billund Denmark
Like it? Pin it!
