As safer and more comfortable models with pneumatic tyres became available more and more citizens bought bicycles. They were, and still are, used by postmen, messengers, commuters, tourists, royalty, adults and children.

It's estimated that there were about 3,000 bicycles in Copenhagen in 1890. By 1900, there were more than 30,000. By 1907, the number had risen to 80,000. Denmark's predominently flat terrain, compact urban areas and temperate climate make it ideal for cycling and Copenhageners took to it in a big way. In 1934, the city boasted 400,000 cycles and 30km of cycle tracks.

The Danish Cyclists Federation was set up in 1905 and is the oldest cycling organisation in Europe. It was founded with the aim of lobbying for improved conditions for cyclists. This was also early days for cars, of course, and traffic wasn't highly regulated. Give-way rules were introduced in 1910 and the first Road Traffic Act was passed by Parliament in 1923.

World War II (1939-45) brought fuel rationing and supply shortages, and bicycles became the main form of transport in Copenhagen right up to the mid 1950s, when car ownership began to increase. During the war, Copenhagen's cycle lane network grew rapidly. By 1960, the city had 210km of dedicated lanes.

Until the 1970s and the world oil crisis, cars ruled the roads, though even then a third of the population cycled regularly. The crisis not only affected Denmark's policy on power generation, it helped tip the balance back to cycle use, as attention turned to the need for low-fossil fuel transport methods. Copenhagen had also become increasingly congested, and driving was expensive. The city's urban planning now started to include positive measures for increasing cycle use and for pedestrianisation.

From 1982 to 2001, every national budget included funds for the construction of cycle lanes and improvements. Since 1993, 11 national cycle routes have been established, covering a total of 4,233km.