"Copenhagenization!"; Two weeks experience in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Entry: 5th - 18th November 2012

At first thought, I said to myself: "This is not a dream, this is truly copenhagenization!" praising myself that I had just coined a new word in history but the word "copenhagenization" do have a definition. Copenhagenization is a design strategy for urban planning and design centered around making a city more accessible to bicyclists and pedestrians, and less car dependent. (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling_advocacy#cite_note-4).

My own observations during my visit suggest:

1. Space matters!:
It was clear to see that all road space users have been catered for in terms of transport planning: well thought out spaces for pedestrians, cars, buses, cyclists etc. Perhaps I am being bias due to my interest in urban spaces for various types of cyclists. (to be updated)

2. Infrastructure matters!: (to be updated)

3. Mutual respect matters!:
All road/land/track users seamlessly adjust to each other in their urban space movement transactions. (to be updated)

4. Attitude to behaviour change matters! (to be updated)

5. Research matters! (to be updated)
Despite the immense investment into cycling infrastructure in Copenhagen, there are still research (e.g., the bikeability project: http://www.bikeability.dk/) around cycling transportation aiming to optimize urban space design, planning and usage. It appears it is more important for cities aiming to "copenhagenize" their urban spaces leave sufficient space/right-of-way for pedestrians, cyclists, cars, buses, trams among others when designing road corridors. Although most cities, at least for now, find it difficult to implement, or even think of plans for other road users, leaving such spaces will make it easier for future design considerations for other road users such as cyclists. (to be updated)

As a way of ending, based on my own research around Tyneside conurbation, allow me to shout aloud: CYCLING TRANSPORTATION IN TYNESIDE CONURBATION MATTERS!!! WILL THERE EVER BE NEW WORDS FROM THE NORTH EAST OF ENGLAND?:  NEWCASTLIZATION?? TYNESIDATION?? PERHAPS TYNEWEARISM?? TYNEBIKES??