Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
An interesting side effect of the Danish system is that sky-high taxes make things so costly
that people consume more sparingly. The society seems designed in a way that encourages
people to use less, waste less, chew slower, appreciate more, and just sip things. A glass of
beer can cost more than $10. A cup of coffee can run $7—and refills are unheard of. A big
box economy à la Wal-Mart is just not very Danish. I think Danes know they could make
more money if they embraced the “Big Gulp” track and started super-sizing things. But the
collective decision is based on what's good for the fabric of their society rather than what's
good for the economy.
One example that's obvious to any visitor is cars… or the lack thereof. Figuring in
registration fees and sales tax, Denmark levies a 180 percent tax on new automobiles. So
to buy one car, you have to pay for nearly three cars. As a result, throughout Denmark, a
third dimension zips along silently between pedestrians and drivers: Danish bikers. With
so many bikes, traffic congestion and pollution are reduced, parked cars don't clog the
streets, and people are in shape. (What's safe for the environment can be dangerous for
absentminded pedestrians. On my last visit to Copenhagen, on two occasions I was nearly
flattened as I stepped from a taxi into the bike lane.)
London and Paris have taken lanes away from drivers to create bike lanes, but so far
the lanes are underused and the entire effort just seems to make things worse. Somehow,
Copenhagen has it figured out. During Copenhagen's rush hour, there are more bikes on
their roads than cars, and everything moves smoothly.
