Cykelslangen (The Bicycle Snake)

An Orange Ribbon Over Copenhagen’s Harbor

Cykelslangen – literally “The Bicycle Snake” – is one of Copenhagen’s most distinctive pieces of urban infrastructure. Painted a vivid orange, the slender bridge floats above the harbor basin at Gasværkshavnen, threading between the concrete of Kalvebod Brygge and the glassy bulk of Fisketorvet mall. Although designed first and foremost for bikes, it has become a modern landmark in its own right, drawing architecture fans, photographers, and the simply curious. From a distance, the bridge looks like a ribbon dropped casually between buildings. Up close, its steel deck, slim white columns and carefully profiled railings reveal the precision behind the apparent effortlessness. Stand beneath it and you appreciate how little it touches the ground, freeing space on the quay for strolling, sitting and lingering by the water.

How the Bicycle Snake Changed the Waterfront

Before Cykelslangen opened in 2014, cyclists moving between Vesterbro, Havneholmen and the harbor bridge Bryggebroen faced an awkward detour, including stairs and tight pedestrian areas. The new bridge solved a very practical problem: giving bikes a direct, car-free route while relieving pressure on the promenade below. Today many thousands of riders glide over it daily, their constant flow a reminder of how central cycling is to daily life in Copenhagen. The bridge links seamlessly into a wider network of harbor crossings and “cycle superhighways”. For the city, it is more than a shortcut: it signals a commitment to put human-powered transport on equal footing with cars. You can watch office workers on upright city bikes, families with cargo bikes and students on racing bikes all sharing the same smooth curve, rarely needing to brake.

Architecture in Motion

Cykelslangen was designed to be experienced at speed. Its long, gentle ramps are calculated so cyclists can ascend and descend without strain, while the snaking plan line subtly slows them through the tightest bends. The orange deck contrasts with the usually grey-blue harbor, so from the water or opposite quay the snake stands out as a bold graphic stroke. Running roughly 200–220 meters, the bridge rises to around seven meters above the water at its highest point, offering fleeting views as you ride or walk along. Look east and you catch glimpses of Bryggebroen and Islands Brygge; look west and the city’s mix of historic rooftops and modern glass unfolds between gaps in the surrounding buildings.

Experiencing the Bicycle Culture Up Close

You do not need a bike to appreciate Cykelslangen, but it helps. Riding across, you feel gently lifted out of street-level clutter into a dedicated world of cyclists, temporarily separated from bus stops, shop entrances and parked cars. On foot, you can pause at the railings to watch the constant stream of bikes, a living illustration of why Copenhagen is known as one of the world’s great cycling capitals. Down on the waterfront, the bridge becomes a backdrop rather than a route. From the quayside benches and steps you can watch silhouettes of riders passing above, framed against the sky and water. In the evening, subtle lighting turns the snake into a glowing loop, reflecting softly on the harbor surface and shifting the atmosphere from utilitarian bypass to urban sculpture.

Best Times, Light and Perspectives

Early morning and late evening bring some of the most photogenic moments here. At sunrise, low light picks out the orange deck and throws long shadows from the thin columns onto the water. Around sunset on clear days, the glass façades around Fisketorvet mirror warm colors while commuter traffic peaks, giving the bridge a sense of animated energy. Because Cykelslangen sits amid other modern structures, it also offers interesting vantage points back towards the city. From the mid-span, you can frame canals, moored boats and neighboring bridges in a single view. Architecturally minded visitors will also notice how the bridge knits together what could have been a rather anonymous mall-and-office district, injecting movement, color and human scale into the waterfront.