Weather, kit and riding with kids

Helmets are not compulsory in Denmark, at any age. Plenty of locals wear one and plenty do not, and nobody will look at you strangely either way. It is entirely your call - but a rented bike rarely comes with one, so if you want a helmet, ask when you hire.

In the wet, the surfaces that catch people out are cobblestones, painted road markings and metal covers. All three are common in the old city and all three are far more slippery than they look. Brake earlier than you think you need to, and take corners upright and gently. Tram-style metal joints and drain covers deserve particular respect when they are wet.

Wind matters more than visitors expect. The harbour bridges and the open waterfront stretches get a real crosswind that can move you half a metre sideways without warning. Hold the bars firmly, leave space around you, and do not overtake in a gust.

If you are riding with children, small children are not allowed out on the road alone and need an adult with them. A child may be carried only in a proper child seat or a cargo box designed for it - not on a rack or a crossbar. And before you ride away on any rental, check three things: the brakes work, the bell works, and the lights work. All three are legally required, and all three become your responsibility the moment you set off. Thirty seconds in the shop is better than discovering the problem in traffic.