I was surprised when I entered Copenhagen. I hadn’t seen so many cyclists since I was in Beijing. Anyone on a bicycle is a friend to me.

In Beijing, there is an extra lane for bicycles. All cyclists stop at a red light and if you turn around, you’ll see a long line behind you. None of them cross the road at red light even if there are no cars. It’s the same in Copenhagen. But in New York and London, people have no patience. At a zebra crossing, they just look for cars and cross the road. In Copenhagen, they wait for the lights to turn green. If they cross at red light, they are fined 500 Danish kroners.

Cyclists here need front and back lights on their cycles at night, otherwise the police fine them. Some cyclists here are dressed for work—in formal suits with a tie. Ladies are seen pedalling away in stilettos. Only a few cyclists here wear helmets. Most don’t, just like in Nepal.

It’s safe to ride bicycles at any time, day or night. Parking lots for bicycles are often packed to the helm. In every corner, there are cycles. At Central Station, more than a thousand bicycles are parked everyday. There are more cycles than cars here. And another thing, you cannot drink and pedal.

Many bicycles have seats for children attached to their front. Then there are city bikes which cost 20 kroners and look different from ordinary bicycles. City bikes are designed for tourists. You deposit 20 kroners at the bicycle lock and ride it for the whole day. When you return it to the lock, any lock, you get your money back. There are bicycle locks all over the city. There is a map of the city in front of the bike. I rented one for a day to ride around the city. It was fun and lighter than my bike. A friend told me, “Forget the old bike, get a new one for 20 kroners and finish the rest of your journey. At the end of it, you will get your money back.”

I don’t want to leave my cycle here freezing in the Danish winter while I’m riding on another for 20 kroners. I love my bicycle.