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Tour de France to have immense traffic consequences in Copenhagen

Christian Wenande
June 28th, 2022


This article is more than 2 years old.

If you’re planning to move about the city in the coming week, trains, the metro or cycling are highly recommended 

If you’ve been to the city centre recently, you’ve probably noticed that the capital is gearing up for something. Something big. 

That analysis would be correct as the Tour de France is in town for the first time in history. Not only that, but for a time trial first stage on July 1 of what is the biggest cycling race on the planet.

And while the cycling capital of the world is oiled up and ready to celebrate, not everything will be smooth pedalling … particularly traffic-wise. 

READ ALSO: 2022 Tour de France: The greatest show on Earth

Leave the car
In fact, the public are encouraged to use public transport, cycle or simply walk when moving about the city in the coming few days as numerous key roads will be closed off due to the race.

Fences are going up all across the city on each side of the roads being used in the 13 km time trial … so a bit of simple maths brings it to 26 km of fence. 

Some roads, such as HC Andersens Boulevard, are already being closed off, but the entire time trial route will be blocked off from 01:00 on Thursday night to 16:00 on Saturday.

And it’s not just cars that will be blocked out. Bicycles and pedestrians will also be shut out, although there will be a few points (see interactive map here) where all three modes of transportation will be able to cross during limited hours (not from 12:00-20:00).

READ ALSO: C’est Magnifique! Denmark ready for Le Tour

Parking situation
When it comes to parking spaces, something the city already struggles with, there is more to contend with.

There will be no parking or stopping along the 13km route from 09:00 on Thursday until 16:00 on Saturday. 

Furthermore, the same rule will be in force on a number of side-streets adjacent to the route, including big roads like Nørre Voldgade, Vester Søgade and Blegdamsvej.

Illegally parked cars will be removed at the owner’s expense. 

Resident parking licenses for the city centre will be temporarily expanded to encompass all parking zones in the city from June 27-July 4.

Similar traffic ramifications can be expected along the routes of the other two stages taking place in Denmark. 

Read more about the traffic here (in English).


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Moreover, 21 percent of those surveyed admitted to medicating their kids with paracetamol, such as Panodil, before sending them to school.

The FOLA parents’ organisation is shocked by the findings.

“I think it is absolutely crazy. It simply cannot be that a child goes to school sick and plays with lots of other children. Then we are faced with the fact that they will infect the whole institution,” said FOLA chair Signe Nielsen.

Pill pushers
At the Børnehuset daycare institution in Silkeborg a meeting was called where parents were implored not to bring their sick children to school.

At Børnehuset there are fears that parents prefer to pack their kids off with a pill without informing teachers.

“We occasionally have children who that they have had a pill for breakfast,” said headteacher Susanne Bødker. “You might think that it is a Panodil more than a vitamin pill, if it is a child who has just been sick, for example.”

Parents sick and tired
Parents, when confronted, often cite pressure at work as a reason for not being able to stay at home with their children.

Many declare that they simply cannot take another day off, as they are afraid of being fired.

Allan Randrup Thomsen, a professor of virology at KU, has heavily criticised the parents’ actions, describing the current situation as a “vicious circle”.

“It promotes the spread of viruses, and it adds momentum to a cycle where parents are pressured by high levels of sick-leave. If they then choose to send the children to daycare while they are still recovering, they keep the epidemic going in daycares, and this in turn puts a greater burden on the parents.”