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Great experience

Great experience, had an amazing time today in Hareskoven tracks. Bikes were good, friendly stuff, recommended!

Date of experience : 16 September 2023

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Store Hareskov

MTB Trails around Store Hareskov

Mountain biking

Looking for the best mountain biking routes around Store Hareskov? Then browse our collection of mtb rides around this beautiful forest in the Capital Region of Denmark below — and discover more of on your next visit.

The best MTB rides around Store Hareskov

Blå start fra hareskov st. – let’s go, hareskoven trail loop from værløse, let’s go, hareskoven trail – mordor loop from bagsværd.

Let us show you the way with the komoot mobile app

Schöne waldtouren – bmx'eren loop from værløse, more pedal more fun – blå start fra hareskov st. loop from hareskov, let’s go, hareskoven trail – down hill to mtb tours loop from kovbrynet, explore these rides on the map.

Our Tour recommendations are based on thousands of activities completed by other people on komoot.

Popular around Store Hareskov

Bike Touring Collection by komoot

Road Cycling Collection by komoot

Running Collection by komoot

Find the perfect Tour

Explore the most popular tours around store hareskov.

Explore more of Capital Region of Denmark : Browse the best MTB Trails in other regions.

• Tisvilde Hegn
• Lake Bagsværd
• Nationalpark Kongernes Nordsjælland
• Tokkekøb Hegn
• Bistrup Hegn
• Lyngby-Taarbæk
• Store Dyrehave
• Hammermølle Skov
• Bondedammen
• Kalvebod Fælled
• Gentofte Sø
• Teglstrup Hegn
• Egebæksvang Skov
• Almindingen
• Hornbæk Plantage
• Fredensborg
• Kelleris Hegn
• Høje-Taastrup
• Horserød Hegn
• Frederiksberg
• Paradisbakkerne
• Nexø Lystskov
• Albertslund
• Klosterris Hegn
• Rutsker Plantage
• Brøndbyskoven
• Aggebo-Græsted Hegn
• Rø Plantage
• Kongelunden
• Jægersborg Hegn
• Frederikssund

• The official guide to Copenhagen
• Beyond Copenhagen
• Copenhagen Card

Immersive nature is right up the road: Unforgettable outdoor experiences await north of Copenhagen.

Only a short train ride away from the city centre serene nature and great activities await where you can zoom through a forest, float downstream or dive into refreshing waters – north of Copenhagen has it all.

So, you’ve had a few days in Copenhagen and it’s time for a change of pace. Look no further than the north of Copenhagen: where body meets mind, and green meets blue. Jump on the S-train and prepare yourself for adventures in the great outdoors!

Fun on wheels

It’s a well-known fact: Danes love their bikes. So, when looking to escape the city for the day, do as the Danes do. A spectacular way of seeing the scenery north of Copenhagen is namely on two wheels, mountain biking through Hareskoven forest. And if you think getting there from the city centre is difficult, you’re mistaken. Jump on the S-train from Nørreport, for example, and take the green B-line to Hareskoven Station. Less than five minutes on foot from the station, and you’ve reached your destination. Whether you’re a daredevil or prefer the scenic route, MTB-Tours Hareskoven is the place to be. All you need to bring is a sense of adventure, the rest (both bike and helmet and even a guided tour) can be rented through MTB-Tours Hareskoven. Thrill seekers looking for their next rush will definitely feel at home here, but those not as in touch with their adventurous side are guaranteed their fun, too. Been a while since you rode a bike? Not to worry, MTB-Tours Hareskoven offers electric mountain bikes as well so you can speed along without breaking a sweat. They’re open for rentals all year round and bikes can be booked via their website.

Fresh countryside air

If you love green hills and free-roaming animals, you’ll want to add the marvellous Dyrehaven to your list. Literally translated as The Deer Park, these enchanting woods, abundant with lush greenery, small lakes, and open landscapes are where you can come for a run, walk, picnic or even horseback ride amongst herds of grazing deer. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dyrehaven has been left practically untouched for hundreds of years. The layout of the park is a time capsule of the Danish royalty's par force hunting in the 1600s — and the King's hunting lodge is still in the heart of the park to this day. Dyrehaven is open 24 hours and is located only a 20-minute train ride from the centre of Copenhagen. Just hop on the S-train heading to Klampenborg Station (also where you’ll be getting off) from any train station in the centre.

Looking for a slightly different outdoor experience? Explore the unique natural landscape of Værløse Air Base – a former Royal Danish Air Force Base at Værløse. Northwest of Copenhagen is where history and nature collide in a vast, open landscape with large asphalted stretches, including the 3km long and 50m wide runway. There’s plenty to discover either by walking, running, cycling, roller skating, or even using the equestrian track, all while enjoying the bird life and the surrounding overgrown nature. To get there, take the S-train from the city centre on the C-line to Måløv, followed by a 3km walk to the base.

There’s water, too!

If you’re naturally drawn to the water, this next one’s for you. At Frederiksdal Kanoudlejning, tranquillity awaits. Jump in a canoe or kayak and paddle leisurely through the lakes, gently following the stream, with birdsong as your soundtrack. A favourite for kids and adults alike, Frederiksdal Kanoudlejning guarantees hours of fun on the water at your own pace, without the fear of waterfalls or whitewater. And when your arms need a break, you can reward yourself with an ice cream while you sit back and enjoy the peace of the north. The kayak centre is open daily. Book in advance via their website to secure your spot.

Photo : Anders Bøggild

Going for a Dip

All this talk of water may have you wondering if you’ll be needing to pack your bathing suit. The short answer is: yes! Further north of Copenhagen you will find Furesøbad. Located next to Denmark’s deepest lake, this is one of the best places in the area to take a refreshing plunge, regardless of the weather. Jump from the pier, unwind on the man-made beach, or take the little ones to the wading pool for a splash around while the boats sail by. The lake is open and free to enter all year round, with lifeguards patrolling during the summer months. If you’re appetite for swimming and sand is not yet fulfilled, both Bellevue and Charlottenlund Fort are well worth a stop. These beautiful beaches are both found in the north along a picturesque stretch of coastline. In addition to its fine architecture, Bellevue is an iconic fine-sand beach, found just by Klampenborg station. And Charlottenlund Fort, a former coastal battery, located south of Bellevue is equally charming. With a restaurant, cafe and even camping spots, you can make a day (or night!) of your trip here.

As you can see, the north of Copenhagen has endless nature-rich experiences for the whole family to explore just a short train ride away. Your itinerary is all set, all you have to do now is go!

Want to know more?

Are you into fantastic nature experiences and don’t mind working up a little sweat on your brow? - then you will love a mountain bike trip in Hareskoven. It’s basically THE place near Copenhagen to go ...

The Deer Park

A short trip north from Copenhagen will take you to Dyrehaven, a wonderful woodland that seems far from city lights and traffic noise.

Værløse Air Base

If you’re after a slightly different outdoor experience, you should definitely investigate the unique natural landscape of the former Royal Danish Air Force Base at Værløse. 20 kms northwest of Copenh ...

Furesøbadet

Furesø , Denmark’s deepest lake, lies just 20 kms north west of Copenhagen. It has rapidly become a hotspot for outdoor swimming, one of the most popular in the country.

The area around Bellevue on the northern outskirts of Copenhagen is a popular destination for both locals, residents and international tourists. Bellevue is a 700-metre-long sandy beach in Klampenborg ...

Discover the wonders north of Copenhagen

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Hareskoven Red Track - Det Røde Spor

“ the most visited track in denmark - two-way. det mest anvendte mtb spor i danmark - dobbeltrettet. ”, 211' 64  m, 74' 23  m, 745' 227  m, 761' 232  m, know this trail, dogs leashed, e-bikes unknown, family friendly the southern segment in "store hareskov" is renovated and great for training beginners. den sydlige linje i store hareskov er renoveret og anvendes til børnetræning., description.

Land Manager: Naturstyrelsen Nordsjælland

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KORT OVER SPORET

Klik på kortet til højre for at åbne vores interaktive kort over alle offcielle MTB-spor i Hareskovene (Lille Hareskov, Store Hareskov, Jonstrupvang og Nørreskoven)

Kortet angiver broer, overkørsler, navngivne steder, vandposter m.v.

Vi planlægger løbende spordage, hvor vi enten renoverer eller bygger nyt. Planlagte spordage bliver slået op på vores Facebook. Har du lyst til at deltage, kan du tilmelde dig på vores FB side.

Støt sporbygningen via mobilepay 53001.

Alle indbetalte beløb går ubeskåret til indkøb af materialer, leje af maskiner, forplejning, uddannelse, forsikringer og alt hvad der i øvrigt er nødvendigt for at vi kan vedligeholde MTB sporet i Hareskovene.

Indsamling er registreret hos Indsamlingsnævnet ​

Samarbejdet med Naturstyrelsen

Sporarbejdet i Hareskoven sker i tæt samarbejde med Naturstyrelsen, som sikrer, at sporbygning sker i overensstemmelse med gældende regler og med et bæredygtigt og holdbart spor i sigte.

Støttet af Nordea-fonden

Nordea-fonden yder en stor støtte til arbejdet med mountainbikesporet i Hareskoven. Vi har modtaget støtte fra den lokale Nordea-fond i Furesø. Men det er støtten fra den landsdækkende fond, der har givet os mulighed for at lave de store omlægninger i Hareskoven.

BYGGETEKNIK OG UDFORDRINGER

MTB-sporet i Hareskoven tiltrækker mange brugere, og det slider på sporet. Læs mere om, hvorfor vi renoverer og nogle steder bygger helt nyt spor her

Vi har valgt at arbejde udfra IMBA-principperne for bygning af MTB-spor. Vil du vide, hvad det går ud på, så tryk her

Skoven er et sart sted, og der er meget at tage højde for, når man skal bygge MTB-spor. Fra begynderen over dyreliv til oldtidslevn og andre brugerrupper. Bliv klogere på reglerne her

OnTrail er et samarbejde på tværs af DCU, DGI og Naturstyrelsen. Projektet har udarbejdet en standard for sværhedsgrader og mærkning i danske skove. Nysgerrig? Så klik her

Hvem er vi?

Sporbygningen i Hareskoven foretages af flere forskellige sporgrupper. Hver sporgruppe har sit eget område og typisk deres egen byggestil. Dette sikrer variation i sporet samt en masse nye tiltag på tværs af skoven.

Nedenfor kan du blive lidt klogere på de enkelte grupper.

Sporets historie kan du læse lidt om, hvis du klikker på den grønne knap herunder.

Hareskovens MTB Sporgruppe

Hareskovens MTB Sporgruppe arbejder både i Store Hareskov og Lille Hareskov. Her laves sjove flowstrækninger, der udnytter bakkerne og tager højde for erosion. Fokus ligger på store renovering og omlægninger, hvor der bygges holdbare spor i sten og grus. Arbejdet sker på spordage, hvor du også kan være med.

Alt arbejde er støttet af Naturstyrelsen og Nordea-fonden, samt MTB'eres bidrag via MobilePay.

Læs mere her

Blue Team arbejder i den vestlige del af Store Hareskov. Sporfilosofien her er at lave sjove flowstrækninger, der tager højde for erosion. Der arbejdes både med håndkraft og maskiner i materialer som sten og grus.

Alt arbejde er støttet af Naturstyrelsen, som også leverer materialer

Team Mordor

Team Mordor arbejder på den nordlige strækning i Store Hareskov. Området er stort set fladt, med vekslende typer af træer. Team Mordor arbejder på at lave teknisk krævende strækninger med skovens materialer.

Der bygges pavéer med toppede brosten, lange sektioner med blotlagte rødder og fantastiske broer bygget af egetræer fældet i skoven. Der arbejdes i hånden og med stor tålmodighed.

Alt arbejde er støttet af Naturstyrelsen, som også leverer materialer.

Flow Mafia arbejder i Nørreskoven, som ligger mellem Frederiksborgvej og Furesøen. Nørreskoven har et bakket terræn ned mod Furesøen.

Flow Mafia arbejder på at lave sjove flowstrækninger, der udnytter bakkerne og tager højde for erosion. Der arbejdes udelukkende med håndkraft og begrænsede mængder af grus.

Alt arbejde er støttet af Naturstyrelsen, som også leverer materialer. Følg Flow Mafia her

STØT SPORBYGNINGEN VIA mobilePay 53001

Alle indbetalte beløb går ubeskåret til indkøb af materialer, leje af maskiner, forplejning af frivillige og andre nødvendigheder til spordage.

Din browser understøtter ikke JavaScript hvilket kræves for, at alle denne hjemmesides komponenter fungerer optimalt.

Hareskoven - København

Kun en halv time med S-tog fra Københavns Hovedbanegård snor ”Det Røde Spor” sig gennem Hareskoven. En teknisk spændende MTB-rute – også for begyndere.

Vær opmærksom på at MTB-sporet er under omlægning. Der er derfor afvigelser på nuværende rutekort.

Sporene i Hareskovene og Jonstrup Vang har bl.a. ikke længere direkte forbindelse til sporene i Nørreskoven da sporene igennem Bøndernes Hegn, Frederiksdal Skov og Åsevang er nedlagt. Du kan imidlertid se den opdateret rute på dette  interaktive kort  der også løbende opdateres.

Fakta om Det røde spor

Faciliteter, leje af mtb-cykler.

Oplever du problemer med ruten, så kontakt Naturstyrelsen på Østsjælland på [email protected]  

Samarbejdspartnere

Print og tag med, 10 spir hall of fame - sådan kommer du med.

Har du gennemført en rute i alle 10 områder, kan du blive optaget i 10 Spir Hall of Fame. For at blive optaget skal du sende en mail til  [email protected]

Skriv dit navn, eventuelt MTB-klub, og i hvilken periode du har kørt ruterne.

Turist i området

Guide til Hareskovene

Vandretursfolder 

VisitDenmark

Visitnordsjaelland.dk

Vi tilbyder at du som privat, kan leje en eller flere MTB cykler til turen, Inkl hjelm! Kun kr. 250 for nyeste 29″ mountainbike, 3-4 timer, inkl. hjelm.  Kontakt os på 29370852 eller mail.  [email protected] Voksen cyklerne er nyeste model kvalitetscykler med luftaffjedrede forgaffel, og 1 x 11 gear for let kørsel

Se også vores nye E-TOURS cykler. Så kan alle komme med på tur!

• 3-4 timer - Kr 250
• 24 timer - Kr 300
• Weekend - Kr 500
• 7 dage - Kr 750
• inkl. hjelm og fyldt drikkedunk

Børne / Junior MTB

• 3-4 timer - Kr 150
• 24 timer - Kr 250

Børne cykeltrailer

• 3-4 timer - Kr 100
• 24 timer - Kr 200
• Plads til 2 børn og lidt oppakning.

HEDELANDS-CYKLEN, oplevelses tour cyklen

• 2-3 timer - Kr 125
• FAT-BIKES 3-4 timer - 300 kr.

Alle udlejninger er inkl. hjelm og fyldt drikkedunk. Mountainbike, fyldt drikkedunk, hjelm og evt. rygsæk med kort over området, ekstra slange, værktøj mm, er klar når du har booket.!

Ved større privat udlejning, er vi friske på levering/afhentning i Hedeland efter aftale. Og selvfølgelig også andre steder på Sjælland, f.eks Boserup, Bidstrup, Tokkekøb eller Hareskoven.

Privat gruppe / Guidet tur

Er i flere personer, kan vi tilbyde en 2-3 timers tur i Hedeland med egen guide. Der kan frit vælges om turen skal være kategori Grøn, Blå eller Rød for de sejeste.

Evt et mix, men det planlægges med guiden.Der gives basic instruktion i MTB kørsel og sikkerhed inden start på turen. Vi kan evt sørge for let frokost når vi kommer frem til et af spisestederne i Hedeland.

Rene drikkeflasker er med til turen, hvis i ønsker det.

Prisen for guidet tur er 400 kr. pr. deltager for MTB, hjelm, samt guide.

Firma arrangement og Guidet tur:

Er I trætte af go-cart og bowling, så prøv noget nyt og hold næste teambuilding eller firmatur her i Hedeland.

At køre på MTB er en fed oplevelse, og vi har ruter i alle sværhedsgrader, så alle kommer igennem men stadig bliver udfordret. Alle kan være med, vi guider rundt og får de helt store smil frem og måske pulsen lidt op, alt efter form og ønsker. En god dag som huskes længe.

Der findes flere overdækkede spise-huse, hvor medbragt mad & drikke kan nydes.

Mulighed for vinsmagning eller andre spændende aktiviteter på turen. Vi har flere guider med ved større hold, for at sikre en god oplevelse for alle. Snak med os, så laver vi en tur der passer til Jer.

Prisen for guidet firmatur er 375 kr. ekskl. moms  pr. deltager for MTB, hjelm, samt guide. 

Her kan du se hvilken størrelse som passer til dig.

Udlejning andre steder

Når vi udlejer til andre lokationer f.eks Boserup, Bidstrup eller Hareskoven, så sker det via vores partner, MTB-EVENT.  Se deres side og book cykler til jeres tur på hele Sjælland. WWW.MTB-EVENT.DK

Inspiration til cykelferier

Vil du på en fantastisk cykelferie i Danmark? så kan du finde lidt inspiration til telt eller camper cykeltur hos Bike-tours, som er vores partner og de benytter sig også af vores cykler og udstyr. Besøg  www.Bike-tours.dk  og se mere.

• Roskildevej 87, 4030 Tune
• [email protected]
• 29 37 08 52
• CVR nr: 35063188
• Bank: 2283 3497-693-437

MTB Hedeland Tours

Udlejer MTB til brug i Hedeland, og tilbyder også at guide rundt og fremvise mange af de smukke steder og seværdighederne.

Betingelser

Vi er partner med:

Lavet af Green Webdesign

Hareskov Cykler

På mtb i hareskoven.

Hareskov Cykler ligger lige op af det bedste mountain bike terræn i nærheden af København.

Vi er tæt på områderne Jonstrup Vang, Lille Hareskov, Store Hareskov, Bøndernes Hegn og Nørreskov.

Det betyder samtidigt, at vi er nærmeste cykelhandler til den 26 kilometer lange mtb-rute ‘Det Røde Spor’. Har du en defekt i åbnings-tiden, kan du altid komme forbi.

Du finder et opdateret GPS-spor her på Open Street Map

Naturstyrelsen har blandt andet kort, højdeprofil m.m. men meget af informationen er uddateret i ‘skrivende stund’ (4. juli 2018)

Skriv et svar Annuller svar

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Lille butik, store ambitioner

THE 10 BEST Moscow Bike Tours

Bike tours in moscow.

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• Budget-friendly
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• Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

1. Moscow Bike Tours

2. VikiTours

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4. Oliver Bikes

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6. Bike Tours of Moscow

9. #1 Russia -Tanzania | Zanzibar, Serengeti Safari & Kilimanjaro Agency | BURIGI CHATO SAFARIS CO LTD

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What travelers are saying.

• Moscow Bike Tours
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• International edition
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The Russian cyclists bringing bike culture to Moscow

Harsh winters and the world’s worst road congestion make the Russian capital an inhospitable place for cyclists. So why does the number of riders keep on rising? Maryam Omidi reports for The Calvert Journal

It’s midnight in Moscow and hundreds of cyclists have gathered in Sokolniki Park, the starting point for a Pushkin-themed bike ride through the heart of the capital.

For the next five hours, the throng of cyclists will be joined by thousands of others and together they will take a moonlit tour of the city. With their headphones plugged into an audio recording about Pushkin’s life, they’ll pass the house where he was born, the Great Church of the Ascension where he married and several other places of significance to the Romantic poet.

The event, Velonotte , attended by roughly 5,000 cyclists, was the eighth in Moscow; previous gatherings have been devoted to equally highbrow topics from the Russian heroes who resisted Napoleon in 1812 to the avant-garde architect, Konstantin Melnikov .

Velonotte was launched in 2007 in Moscow and has since expanded to other cities in Russia and around the world, including London, Istanbul and Rome.

“It was a pioneering project for bike culture in Russia and for bringing new awareness of architecture, culture and urbanism to young people aged between 18 and 25,” says Sergey Nikitin , the founder of Velonotte. “We started with 100 people seven years ago and last year, we had 10,000 participants for the Mayakovsky bike ride.”

People still need to show that they have a lot of money with a car and an iPhone... we are trying to change that opinion

The event is one of many cycling get-togethers that have sprung up in Moscow in recent years, organised by enthusiasts looking to promote bike culture in a city hostile to those on two wheels.

“Cycling in Moscow is seen as dangerous, the roads are huge and there are a lot of cars,” says Vladimir Kumov , the founder of Let’s bike it! , an organisation that promotes cycling in Russia.

Car sales in Russia have been rocketing since the 2000s , excluding a slump in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis and another more recent one caused by a weaker rouble and western sanctions over Moscow’s annexation of Crimea . The Russian automotive market grew 14% year-on-year in 2005, 36% in 2006 and 67% in 2007, according to a European Bank for Reconstruction and Development report .

By 2010, sales had returned to pre-crisis levels. The result is the worst traffic congestion in the world. According to TomTom’s fourth annual index , the average car journey in Moscow takes 74% longer than it would on a traffic-free day, a figure that rises to 141% during rush hour in the evening.

“People still need to show that they have a lot of money with a car and an iPhone,” says Kumov. “We are trying to change that opinion.”

From 9am to 10pm on weekdays, the centre of Moscow is a non-stop traffic jam

“The obvious challenge is the traffic which has grown dramatically in recent years,” says Vadim Kriger, founder of Moscow Bike Tours . “From 9am to 10pm on weekdays, the centre of Moscow is a non-stop traffic jam. Nor is it easy for cyclists to cross the streets or cycle through the cars parked illegally on the pathways.”

Although the introduction of paid parking last year has alleviated this problem, the dominance of cars continues to deter cyclists from using the streets, with many choosing to cycle on pavements instead, much to the irritation of pedestrians.

Add to this a catalogue of poor driving habits, from road rage to rear-ending, all of which have been endlessly documented on dash-cam videos and posted on YouTube , and it’s no surprise that so many in the capital prefer using other modes of transport.

Man-made impediments aside, the long and fearsome winters in Moscow make cycling impractical from November to February. It’s not only the knee-deep snow that serves as a deterrent but also the grimy slush that inevitably follows.

Moscow’s first bike lane was met with a barrage of mocking photos on social media

The Moscow city government has endeavoured to make the capital more bike-friendly but their efforts have at times been found wanting. Their most successful attempt to date is a pilot bike rental scheme, similar to London’s ‘Boris bikes’ and New York’s CitiBike programme , which launched in June 2013.

In the 12 months that followed, roughly 46,500 people rented bikes, making a total of 66,500 journeys . While paltry when compared to the million hires in the first 10 weeks of the London launch in 2010 and the 8.7 million trips in New York’s first year, the Moscow scheme started small , launching with only 220 bikes at 30 docking stations, although this has since increased to 1,200 and 150 respectively.

The scheme’s early success meant that this June, the city government announced its expansion to 4,500 rental bikes, not far off New York’s 6,000 and roughly half of London’s 8,000. It’s a coup for cyclists. Yet one concern is that the stations will all be centrally located, a somewhat futile measure given the majority of Muscovites live outside the MKAD, a ring road that separates the city centre from the suburbs.

“Moscow is a huge area and it is a challenge to commute by bike as most people live in one area and need to travel across the city to get to work or university,” says Olga Maltseva, head of cycling development at the Moscow government’s transport department.

“We’ve started to implement infrastructure that will help with bike-and-ride trips. In 2015 we’ll create covered bike parking stations at several transport hubs to allow commuters to leave their bicycles in a safe place for the whole day.” Since 2013, 1,100 cycling racks have been installed in Moscow, adds Maltseva, a figure which is expected to double by next year.

Less successful are the bicycle lanes, or lack thereof, in Moscow. The first lane, built in 2000, was met with a barrage of mocking photos on social media , depicting the multiple obstacles, such as gates, parked cars and speed bumps that blocked the path as well as open drains. Parts of one two-way cycle lane were only a metre wide.

In the past year, the city government has turned its attention to the creation of bicycle lanes in parks, which although positive, critics argue, does little to promote cycling on the roads. “I think that the authorities’ biggest mistake is to create cycle lanes for recreational use rather than travel,” says Nikolai Zalessky, researcher at the Institute for Transport Economics and Transport Policy Studies.

The authorities’ biggest mistake is to create cycle lanes for recreational use rather than travel

The decision underscores an attitude prevalent in Russia, which sees cycling as a fun activity rather than a mode of transport. According to Kumov, there are two words in Russian for cycling: ‘katatsya’ and ‘yezdit’. While the first describes cycling for enjoyment, the second refers to it as a form of transportation.

“Even when the government talks about cycling and cycling lanes, they use the word katatsya,” says Kumov. “They recently organised a car-free day including a show with dancing but this also only promotes cycling for recreation. They don’t think to lower the speed limit or have more cycle lanes. A huge amount of money is spent but not always on the right things.”

According to cycling activist and artist Anton Polsky, cyclists should not be put off by the lack of infrastructure. In 2010, Polsky created USE/LESS , a map of easy-to-cycle routes, parking places and dangerous junctions to help riders navigate the city without the help of special infrastructure . The map received widespread media coverage and is regularly cited as one of the things driving a change of attitude towards cycling in Moscow, especially among the city’s officials.

“In terms of the lack of space and the attitudes of drivers, it’s so much harder to cycle in New York than in Moscow,” says Polsky. “In Moscow, the biggest problems are the long distances and winter.” Despite the challenges, Polsky is sanguine about the future of cycling in the city given the ever-growing number of cyclists hitting the streets each year. “From my activist point of view, I think I did what I had to do,” he says. “Now we need to lobby the Moscow government to do their job.”

A version of this article first appeared on The Calvert Journal

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