# Why Cycling is One of the Best Ways to Explore Cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen
When you arrive in Amsterdam or Copenhagen for the first time, one thing becomes immediately apparent: bicycles dominate the urban landscape. These two European capitals have perfected the art of integrating cycling into every aspect of city life, transforming how residents and visitors alike experience urban exploration. With more bicycles than residents, dedicated infrastructure spanning hundreds of kilometres, and a culture that treats cycling not as sport but as simple transportation, these cities offer an unparalleled opportunity to discover architectural treasures, hidden neighbourhoods, and waterfront promenades at the perfect pace—fast enough to cover significant ground, yet slow enough to absorb the atmosphere and stumble upon unexpected delights.
The bicycle revolution in these cities didn’t happen by accident. Both Amsterdam and Copenhagen underwent dramatic transformations during the 1970s, shifting from car-centric planning to prioritising cyclists and pedestrians. Today, cycling accounts for 45% of all trips to work in Copenhagen, whilst in Amsterdam, up to 70% of journeys in certain districts are made by bike. This infrastructure doesn’t just serve locals—it creates an extraordinary framework for visitors to explore these cities in ways that walking, driving, or public transport simply cannot match.
Integrated cycling infrastructure: how amsterdam’s 515km network and copenhagen’s supercykelstier transform urban exploration
The foundation of cycling tourism in Amsterdam and Copenhagen rests upon decades of investment in world-class infrastructure. Amsterdam boasts over 515 kilometres of dedicated cycle paths, whilst Copenhagen has developed an extensive network that includes innovative cycle superhighways connecting the city centre to suburban areas. This isn’t merely painted lines on roads—these are sophisticated, purpose-built networks with separate traffic signals, dedicated bridges, and grade-separated lanes that prioritise cyclist safety and efficiency.
What makes this infrastructure particularly valuable for tourists is its intuitive design. You don’t need to be an experienced urban cyclist to navigate these systems. The paths are clearly marked with distinctive red or blue surfaces, making them immediately identifiable. Traffic signals are coordinated to create “green waves” for cyclists travelling at approximately 20 km/h, allowing you to maintain momentum through multiple intersections without stopping. This design philosophy transforms cycling from a stressful navigation challenge into a smooth, enjoyable experience that allows you to focus on the sights rather than survival.
Amsterdam’s fietspad system: Grade-Separated bike lanes and traffic signal priority
Amsterdam’s fietspad (bicycle path) system represents one of the most comprehensive urban cycling networks in the world. These paths are typically elevated slightly above the road surface but below the pedestrian pavement, creating a clear three-tier hierarchy that prevents conflicts between different types of road users. The physical separation means you’re never competing with cars for space or worried about car doors opening into your path—common hazards in cities with less developed cycling infrastructure.
The traffic signal priority system deserves particular attention. At major intersections, cyclists receive a two-second head start when lights turn green, allowing them to clear the junction before cars begin moving. This seemingly small detail dramatically reduces the risk of right-hook collisions—one of the most common cycling accidents in other cities. Additionally, sensors embedded in the cycle paths detect approaching bicycles and can extend green lights or shorten red lights to maintain traffic flow, making your journey remarkably efficient.
Copenhagen’s cycle superhighways: the route C99 model for suburban connectivity
Copenhagen has pioneered the concept of cycle superhighways—high-quality, long-distance routes designed for commuters but equally valuable for tourists wanting to explore beyond the city centre. Route C99, stretching from the heart of Copenhagen to Albertslund, exemplifies this approach with its smooth asphalt surfaces, minimal stops, and dedicated service stations equipped with air pumps and basic tools. These superhighways feature distinctive blue wayfinding signs showing distances and estimated travel times to key destinations.
For visitors, these superhighways open up possibilities beyond the typical tourist circuit. You can cycle to Amager Beach Park, explore the northern suburbs, or visit attractions that would otherwise require complicated public transport connections. The routes are designed for speeds of 20-25 km/h, making them accessible to moderately fit cyclists whilst still offering a sense of achievement when you cover significant distances. Service stations positioned every few kilometres ensure you’re never far from help if you experience mechanical issues.
Dedicated bicycle
Dedicated bicycle bridges: cykelslangen and inderhavnsbroen case studies
Dedicated bicycle bridges are where the cycling experience in Amsterdam and Copenhagen really becomes memorable. Rather than squeezing bikes onto existing car bridges, both cities have invested in elegant, purpose-built structures that give cyclists their own direct, scenic routes. These bridges are more than just pieces of infrastructure: they are urban landmarks that make exploring the city by bike feel intuitive and, frankly, a little bit magical.
Copenhagen’s famous Cykelslangen (Cycle Snake) is a prime example. This elevated orange ribbon curls its way above the harbourfront, separating you entirely from pedestrian crowds and car traffic. The gentle gradients, wide curves, and uninterrupted sightlines mean you can roll through at a comfortable speed while enjoying sweeping views of the water and city skyline. For visitors, it’s an immediate, tangible demonstration of how seriously Copenhagen takes everyday cycling—this is a “bike bridge” built with the same care other cities reserve for flagship car projects.
Nearby, the Inderhavnsbroen (Inner Harbour Bridge) connects Nyhavn to Christianshavn and further on to Christiania and the harbour islands. The bridge combines wide cycle tracks with separate pedestrian zones, creating a continuous east–west axis for bike riders. Because it removes long detours around the harbour, it dramatically shortens cross-town journeys; as a visitor, that means you can comfortably combine Nyhavn, Freetown Christiania, and modern waterfront districts in a single afternoon loop. The fact that both bridges are also popular photo spots is a bonus—you’re effectively using viewing platforms as your main transport arteries.
Amsterdam takes a slightly different but equally effective approach, weaving cycling bridges and underpasses into its dense canal network. One of the most striking examples is the bike passage under the Rijksmuseum, which functions as a covered “tunnel” for cyclists and pedestrians alike. Rather than forcing bikes around the building or underground, the city lets you ride straight through the cultural heart of Amsterdam. Combined with smaller canal bridges prioritising cyclists and pedestrians, this creates a permeable urban fabric where you’re rarely forced onto busy car routes, even when crossing major waterways.
Wayfinding signage systems: knooppuntennetwerk and cycle route numbering
Great infrastructure is only as useful as it is understandable, especially if you’re visiting for the first time. This is where Dutch and Danish wayfinding systems come into play. Instead of relying solely on digital maps, both countries have developed clear, consistent signage that allows you to navigate almost instinctively. Think of it as a “visual language” for cyclists: once you grasp the basics, it becomes surprisingly easy to string together complex routes across the city.
In the Netherlands, the knooppuntennetwerk (junction network) is particularly valuable if you want to explore beyond central Amsterdam. The system divides the region into numbered nodes, each signposted at key intersections. At every junction, you see which numbers lie in each direction, letting you build your own itinerary by simply noting a sequence of junctions—much like connecting dots on a map. For city cycling, this takes the pressure off constant phone-checking; you can ride from the canal belt to the countryside using only a short list of numbers taped to your handlebar.
Copenhagen and Amsterdam both supplement this with clear cycle route numbering and colour-coded signs. In Copenhagen, routes for the supercykelstier (cycle superhighways) are marked with distinctive logos and route numbers, often accompanied by distance and estimated travel time to key destinations. Amsterdam uses red-and-white ANWB signs and local wayfinding boards that highlight cycle times rather than car times, subtly reinforcing the idea that the bike is the default way to move. For visitors, this is invaluable: instead of asking “how many kilometres is it to Vondelpark?”, you simply see “10 minutes by bike” and can instantly decide if it fits into your day.
Combined with painted wayfinding on the asphalt, these systems minimise the cognitive load of urban navigation. You’re no longer trying to memorise street names in a foreign language; you’re following numbers and symbols along a coherent network. That frees up mental space to enjoy the architecture, canal views, and street life that make cycling in Amsterdam and Copenhagen such a rich way to explore.
Bike-sharing schemes and rental accessibility: OV-fiets, donkey republic, and bycyklen integration
Of course, none of this matters if you don’t have a bike. One of the reasons cities like Amsterdam and Copenhagen are so easy to explore by bicycle is the sheer variety of ways you can access one, whether you’re staying for a weekend or a month. Station-based schemes, app-driven rentals, and traditional bike shops coexist and, in many cases, integrate with public transport systems. This gives you the freedom to choose the option that best fits your itinerary and budget.
What sets these bike-sharing systems apart from those in many other cities is how deeply they are woven into everyday mobility. Rather than being seen as tourist novelties, they are treated as standard extensions of trains, buses, and metros. That means they’re located in the places you actually need them—train stations, metro hubs, busy squares—at the times you’re most likely to use them. For urban explorers, this seamless access means you can build a flexible, multi-day trip around cycling without ever having to commit to owning or transporting a bike.
Amsterdam’s OV-fiets Station-Based model: smart card integration at centraal station
Amsterdam’s OV-fiets (“public transport bike”) is perhaps the purest expression of integration between cycling and mass transit. Operated by NS, the Dutch national railway, OV-fiets operates from more than 300 stations nationwide, including Amsterdam Centraal, Amstel, and Sloterdijk. If you already have a Dutch public transport smart card (OV-chipkaart), renting an OV-fiets is as simple as tapping your card at a rental point—no separate sign-up kiosks or QR codes required.
For visitors staying a little longer, or those using a local friend’s card, OV-fiets turns train stations into powerful cycling hubs. You might take the train from Amsterdam Centraal to Utrecht or Haarlem and then immediately grab an OV-fiets to explore each city’s historic centre. The bikes are deliberately simple and robust—no fancy gears or fragile components—so you can focus on your surroundings rather than your equipment. Because pricing is based on 24-hour periods rather than per-minute charges, it’s also easy to budget for a full day’s exploration without constantly watching the clock.
At major stations like Centraal, the system is complemented by enormous underground bike parking garages, some holding tens of thousands of bicycles. As a visitor, this means that the transition from rail platform to saddle is measured in seconds, not minutes. You walk off the train, follow clear signage to the OV-fiets counter or vending machine, tap your card, and roll straight out into the city street network. It’s a practical demonstration of how cycling and public transport can function as a single, integrated system rather than competing modes.
Copenhagen’s bycyklen electric bike system: GPS-Enabled docking technology
Copenhagen’s Bycyklen takes a slightly different approach, focusing on high-tech electric bikes designed to flatten distances and headwinds. Each Bycyklen bike is equipped with an integrated tablet screen, GPS, and electric assist, making it particularly attractive if you’re less confident in your fitness or simply want to cover more ground with less effort. The docking stations are spread across the city centre and key suburbs, often right outside metro stations and major attractions.
The onboard tablet is more than a gimmick; it functions as a live navigation tool. You can select destinations such as “Nyhavn”, “The Little Mermaid”, or “Tivoli Gardens”, and the bike will guide you along safe cycle routes using the same network locals rely on. For first-time visitors, this reduces the fear of getting lost in a maze of unfamiliar streets. Because the system is electric, it also means that you can comfortably ride longer itineraries—say, a loop from the city centre to Amager Beach Park and back—without finishing the day exhausted.
Payment and access are handled via an online account or app, allowing you to unlock any bike at any dock and return it anywhere in the network. This dock-based model is particularly useful if you’re combining cycling with other forms of transport. You might ride a Bycyklen to the harbour, park it at a dock while you explore by foot or boat, then pick up another one later in the day near your next stop. It’s a flexible system that mirrors the way we naturally move through cities: switching modes as our needs change.
Swapfiets and donkey republic: App-Based Long-Term rental solutions
What if you’re staying a week, a month, or even a semester in Amsterdam or Copenhagen? In that case, subscription-based services like Swapfiets and Donkey Republic offer a compelling alternative to daily rentals. Think of them as the “Netflix of bikes”: you pay a fixed monthly fee and in return get your own bicycle, maintenance included. For slow travellers and digital nomads, this can be more economical and more comfortable than relying on short-term bike-sharing every day.
Swapfiets is especially popular among students and young professionals. Your subscription includes a recognisable blue-front-tyre bike, and if something goes wrong—puncture, broken light, faulty lock—the company promises to repair or replace it quickly, often within 24 hours. That level of service is invaluable if you’re relying on the bike for daily commuting and weekend exploration. You can ride it to work in the morning, then use the same familiar bike in the evening to trace canal loops or discover new neighbourhoods.
Donkey Republic, on the other hand, operates both short-term and longer-term rentals through a fully app-based system. Once you’ve downloaded the app, your phone becomes the key: you can unlock any nearby Donkey bike, ride it for a few hours or days, and lock it again wherever the app allows designated parking. This decentralised model is particularly handy if you move between districts or even cities, as Donkey Republic operates in multiple locations across Europe. For travellers who value spontaneity, it’s reassuring to know that a bike is never more than a few taps away.
Tourist-friendly rental hubs: MacBike, black bikes, and baisikeli locations
Even with advanced sharing schemes, traditional bike rental shops still play an important role—especially for tourists who prefer face-to-face advice, guided tours, or specialist bike types. In Amsterdam, companies like MacBike and Black Bikes have multiple locations near Amsterdam Centraal, Leidseplein, and the Museum Quarter, making it easy to rent a bike soon after arriving. Staff typically provide paper maps, suggested routes, and quick briefings on local cycling etiquette, which can be invaluable if it’s your first time riding in such bike-dense environments.
MacBike is known for its bright red bicycles and focus on city touring. You can rent standard Dutch city bikes, e-bikes, or even cargo bikes (bakfietsen) if you’re travelling with children. Black Bikes, with its fleet of more discreet black bicycles, appeals to those who want to blend in more with locals. Both brands often offer 24-hour or multi-day packages, which can be more economical if you plan to cycle throughout your stay rather than just for a single afternoon.
In Copenhagen, Baisikeli stands out not just as a rental provider but also as a social enterprise. The company refurbishes used Danish bikes and sends them to projects in African countries, so your rental directly supports broader mobility initiatives. Baisikeli’s locations close to central areas and train stations make it easy to incorporate their bikes into day trips around the harbour, to Frederiksberg, or out to leafy suburbs. If you’re the kind of traveller who likes to ask questions and get local tips, these staffed hubs can feel more personal and reassuring than anonymous dock systems.
Architectural landmarks accessible via bicycle routes: from rijksmuseum to nyhavn
One of the strongest arguments for exploring Amsterdam and Copenhagen by bike is how elegantly cycling routes knit together the cities’ architectural landmarks. Rather than hopping between isolated “sights” by metro or taxi, you experience them as part of a continuous urban story. Cycling becomes your moving balcony seat, offering ever-changing views of gabled houses, royal palaces, waterfront warehouses, and modern design icons.
Because bikes are treated as primary vehicles rather than afterthoughts, the main cycling routes don’t just graze the edges of these attractions—they often pass right through them. You might roll under the archways of the Rijksmuseum, glide past the royal residence in Copenhagen, and cross iconic harbour bridges, all without leaving a coherent network of cycle paths. The result is that big-ticket sights and everyday street life blend seamlessly, giving you a richer sense of place than point-to-point transport ever could.
Amsterdam’s museum quarter circuit: rijksmuseum, van gogh museum, and vondelpark loop
The Museum Quarter in Amsterdam is a perfect area to experience by bicycle. A typical loop might start near Amsterdam Centraal, drop you along the historic canal belt, and then funnel south via wide cycle tracks towards Museumplein. As you approach, you’ll find dedicated bike lanes guiding you between the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum of modern art, and the grand facade of the Rijksmuseum. This is where the famous Rijksmuseum underpass comes into play, letting you literally cycle through the building as trams and cars detour elsewhere.
From Museumplein, it’s a short, pleasant ride into Vondelpark, Amsterdam’s green lung. Inside the park, car-free paths meander past ponds, lawns, and open-air performance spaces, creating an ideal environment if you want a break from city traffic or you’re still gaining confidence on the bike. Because the park connects back to residential districts and shopping streets, you can easily spin a simple museum visit into a full afternoon loop: culture, greenery, and café-lined streets all stitched together by safe bike routes.
Crucially, the gradients are minimal and the distances compact, which makes this circuit accessible to a wide range of riders, including families with children. You can lock up near the museums, explore on foot, then hop back onto your bike without wrestling with car parking or tight tram schedules. If you’re short on time, this museum–park loop is one of the most efficient ways to experience Amsterdam’s cultural core while still enjoying the spontaneity that city cycling offers.
Copenhagen’s harbour circle route: nyhavn, the little mermaid, and amalienborg palace
Copenhagen’s Harbour Circle (Havneringen) offers a similarly compelling way to connect major landmarks in one continuous ride. This 13-kilometre signposted route traces both sides of the inner harbour, crossing a series of cyclist-friendly bridges and passing many of the city’s most photographed spots. It’s like a curated exhibition of Copenhagen’s past and present, with your bicycle as the moving platform.
Starting in colourful Nyhavn, you ride along cobbled quays and modern promenades towards the royal residence of Amalienborg Palace, where the daily changing of the guards draws crowds. From there, the route continues past the modern opera house and across to the Kastellet fortress area, eventually leading you to the Little Mermaid statue gazing out over the water. Because the Harbour Circle is largely separated from heavy traffic and clearly signed, it’s particularly welcoming for visitors who might be nervous about mixing with city centre cars.
What makes this harbour route special is the interplay of old and new architecture. You glide past 18th-century warehouses converted into cultural venues, sleek glass-and-steel offices, and residential developments where balconies almost spill into the water. Frequent resting points with benches, cafés, and harbour baths invite you to slow down whenever you feel like it. If you’re trying to decide how to structure a single day in Copenhagen, following the Harbour Circle by bike is one of the most rewarding “big picture” introductions you can get.
Canal ring navigation: UNESCO world heritage grachtengordel cycling paths
Amsterdam’s canal ring, the UNESCO-listed Grachtengordel, is arguably one of the most beautiful urban environments in Europe—and it’s tailor-made for exploration by bicycle. The semi-circular pattern of canals such as Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht forms a natural grid of low-speed streets where bikes dominate and cars are often guests. Because many of these streets are traffic-calmed or one-way for cars but two-way for bikes, cycling becomes the quickest and most pleasant way to thread through the area.
Imagine tracing a lazy figure-of-eight route: you ride along Prinsengracht, stopping at an independent café or bookshop, then cross a small canal bridge to follow Keizersgracht in the opposite direction. The repetitive rhythm of bridges, gables, and houseboats becomes almost meditative, yet around every bend there’s some new detail—a quirky front door, a hidden courtyard, a local market—to catch your eye. This is where the analogy of cycling as a “moving balcony” really fits; you’re close enough to read shop signs and smell bakery aromas, but mobile enough to cover multiple canals in a morning.
Because the canal ring is so compact, it also connects easily to other districts like the Jordaan and De Pijp. In practice, this means you can start with world-famous highlights such as the Anne Frank House and then, with just a few minutes of pedalling, find yourself in quieter, more residential neighbourhoods. If you tried to replicate this variety by tram or car, you’d be bogged down in transfers and one-way systems. On a bike, the canal ring becomes both the scenic backdrop and the navigation spine for your entire day.
Christiania and freetown exploration: alternative urban districts by bike
Beyond postcard-perfect canals and royal palaces, both cities also offer more alternative districts that are particularly well-suited to exploration by bike. In Copenhagen, Freetown Christiania is a famous example: a semi-autonomous neighbourhood on former military land, known for its colourful murals, self-built houses, and countercultural history. Getting there by bike from the city centre is straightforward: you follow separated cycle tracks across the harbour and through Christianshavn, often sharing the path with locals on their commute.
Approaching Christiania on two wheels feels more natural than arriving by tour bus. The area itself restricts cars, and many residents rely on cargo bikes, trailers, and self-made cycling contraptions. As you roll slowly along gravel paths and unpaved lanes, you have the flexibility to stop wherever something catches your eye, whether that’s a lakeside viewpoint, a craft workshop, or an improvised café. Because your bike doesn’t dominate the space in the way a car would, it’s easier to be a respectful visitor in what is essentially a living community rather than a museum piece.
Amsterdam has its own equivalents in areas like NDSM Wharf in Noord or the less touristy parts of East and West. Here, cycling routes take you past street art, repurposed shipyards, and creative hubs housed in former industrial buildings. Often, the journey itself—perhaps including a short ferry ride across the IJ—is as interesting as the destination. On a bike, you can hop off at one stop, explore, then ride to the next without worrying about bus timetables or ride-hailing pickups. This makes it easier to follow your curiosity and to discover sides of the city that many visitors never see.
Weatherproof urban cycling: navigating maritime climates and seasonal conditions
Both Amsterdam and Copenhagen share a maritime climate: mild but changeable, with frequent light rain, steady winds, and short winter days. At first glance, that might sound like a deal-breaker for sightseeing by bike. Yet locals ride year-round, and with a few simple strategies, you can do the same comfortably. Think of it less as fighting the weather and more as learning to dress and plan like a local.
Layering is key. Rather than heavy coats, most people opt for waterproof or windproof outer shells over regular clothes, combined with gloves and a thin hat under the helmet in colder months. Because many urban cycling journeys are relatively short—often 10–20 minutes between stops—you rarely have time to get thoroughly soaked or chilled if you’re prepared. Many rental bikes also come with chain guards, mudguards, and skirt guards, which keep your clothes surprisingly clean even on wet streets.
Rain itself is often more of a drizzle than a downpour. If you carry a compact rain jacket in your bag and check a simple weather app before setting out, you can often time your longer rides between showers. And if the forecast looks particularly grim? Both cities are masters of multimodal travel, so you can always shorten rides by hopping on a train or metro for the most exposed sections and then cycling the last mile in more sheltered areas. Treat the weather as part of the experience rather than an obstacle; cycling past canal reflections on a misty day can be just as atmospheric as riding under blue skies.
Traffic calming measures and cyclist safety protocols in Low-Speed zones
One of the reasons cycling feels so safe in Amsterdam and Copenhagen is that you’re rarely forced to mix at high speeds with large volumes of cars. Instead, residential and central areas are typically designed as low-speed zones where the car is a guest rather than the master. From a visitor’s perspective, this reduces the stress level dramatically; you don’t need nerves of steel to negotiate multi-lane junctions because those junctions simply don’t exist in most of the central network.
Traffic calming takes many forms: narrow carriageways, speed humps, raised crossings, and “woonerf” or living street concepts where pedestrians, cyclists, and cars share space at walking pace. In practice, this means you can comfortably ride side by side with a friend, chat as you go, and still feel that drivers are aware of your presence. At intersections, bike boxes (advanced stop lines), separate signal phases, and clearly marked bike crossings help prevent conflicts. As a cyclist, you can usually see at a glance where you’re meant to be, which reduces the uncertainty that so often leads to dangerous manoeuvres.
Of course, this doesn’t mean there are no rules. In both cities, cyclists are expected to obey traffic signals, yield where indicated, and use lights after dark. Fines for cycling without lights, riding against one-way traffic, or using a phone in hand can be steep. The upside is that this shared respect for rules contributes to a predictable traffic environment, which is exactly what you want when navigating an unfamiliar city. If you ride assertively but courteously—signal with your hand when turning, keep right on busy paths, and avoid sudden stops—you’ll find that the flow of traffic almost carries you along.
Multi-modal transport integration: NS train bike carriages and metro bicycle access points
A final piece of the puzzle that makes cycling such a powerful way to explore Amsterdam and Copenhagen is how easily it plugs into wider transport networks. In many cities, taking a bike onto a train or metro feels like an awkward exception. Here, it’s a standard option, supported by clear rules, designated spaces, and often dedicated ticket types. The result is that you can think in terms of “bike plus train” or “bike plus metro” journeys rather than choosing one or the other.
In the Netherlands, NS trains commonly have bike carriages marked with bicycle symbols on the outside. Off-peak, you can bring your own bike on board with a bike day ticket, allowing you to combine a morning ride in Amsterdam with an afternoon exploration of Haarlem, Utrecht, or Leiden. Once you arrive, you roll straight out of the station onto local cycle paths, many of which link directly to the national knooppunten network. This makes it entirely feasible to base yourself in one city and still experience several others by bike without ever renting a car.
Copenhagen’s S-train network is similarly welcoming to cyclists, with entire carriages designated for bikes and no extra fee at most times. Metro lines also allow bicycles outside peak rush hours, with elevators and ramps at many stations to avoid awkward stair-carrying. For visitors, this opens up attractive day-trip options: you might take the S-train north to explore the coastal path towards Dyrehaven deer park, or ride the metro to Amager and then cycle back along the coast. Because the infrastructure on both ends is tailored to bikes, these trips feel like a seamless extension of the urban cycling experience rather than a separate, complicated undertaking.
When you combine integrated bike lanes, user-friendly wayfinding, robust rental options, and bike-friendly public transport, you get cities where cycling is not just a pleasant add-on—but arguably the most logical way to explore. In Amsterdam and Copenhagen, the bicycle truly is the key that unlocks the full depth and nuance of the urban landscape.