Copenhagen has always been a city of bikes. For as long as its streets have existed, people have pedalled them—off to work, home, deliveries, or just wherever life led them. And for much of the last century, the city was held together by the svajere.
These were Copenhagen’s original bike messengers. Fast, loud, and sharp around corners. They moved goods before motors did—crates of beer, sacks of potatoes, or whatever the city needed delivered. Their bikes were cargo bikes. Their brakes were… hopeful. And their reputation for colourful language? Well-earned.
You’d spot them everywhere—whistling, shouting, hauling, weaving through traffic with loads stacked higher than seemed safe. Every day was a race. And once a year, it became official: the fastest rider would win bragging rights for the year.
Svajerløbet was a fixture of Copenhagen life from the 1940s to 1960. Riders met in courtyards, alleys, and markets. The races were loud, competitive, and occasionally chaotic. Crowds gathered. Bets were made. Pride was on the line. It was working-class Copenhagen at full tilt—fast, fierce, and full of charm.
And then—for decades—it disappeared.
Back on the Map
The stories never vanished. The photos stuck around. You’d still hear whispers of Svajerløbet in old bike shops, from veteran couriers, or in yellowing newspaper clippings.
But the race itself? Gone. Until 2009.
That year, Svajerløbet came roaring back. The name stayed the same—but the moment felt fresh. A new mix of couriers, cargo bike builders, city bike nerds, and Copenhagen locals came together to revive the tradition—sponsored in part by Larry vs Harry and Firmacyklen.
It kicked off at Israels Plads. There were sausages, beer, music and bikes everywhere. Riders showed up on old longjohns, brand-new rigs, trikes, and fixies. There was even talk of a showdown between the bike messengers and the local police cycling unit (which, sadly, didn’t happen—the police pulled out at the last minute). Still, the energy was electric. Unpolished. Full of attitude. It felt like something good had just been brought back from the dead.
Since then, we at Larry vs Harry have kept it rolling.
Year after year, we’ve helped shape the course, carried the crates, lined up the start, and stayed true to what makes the race worth having: the people who ride, the bikes they bring, and the stories that come out of every edition.
We’ve raced through Carlsberg Breweries, the Meatpacking District, Øksnehallen, Reffen, Sydhavn and Spor 10. Each location brings something new. But the feeling? Always the same. It’s still Copenhagen. It’s still cargo bikes. It’s still The Svajerløbet.
What Happens on Race Day
Svajerløbet includes individual heats, men’s and women’s races, three-wheelers, relays, and the much-loved Oldtimer category—where vintage longjohns come out of the woodwork and get pushed just as hard as the rest. It’s a truck race for bicycles: fast, furious, and a brilliant chance for spectators to get in on the action.
The final event of the day is always the team relay: four riders, one bike, and all the shouting you can handle from the sidelines.
At the end of it all, we take a group photo, share a beer, and compare bruises.
The entry fee is 50 DKK (about 7 €). Spectators? Free (as in 0 €). We’ve kept it that way to make sure anyone who wants to ride, can. No licences. No politics. No gatekeeping.
Bikes. Copenhagen. Keeping the tradition alive.
The Route So Far
- 2009: Israels Plads, Copenhagen K
- 2010: Slotsholmen, Copenhagen K
- 2011–2014: Carlsberg Byen (Old Carlsberg Brewery), Copenhagen V
- 2015: Øksnehallen, Halmtorvet, Copenhagen V
- 2016: Kødbyen (Meatpacking District), Copenhagen V
- 2017–2018: Carlsberg Byen
- 2019: Boxland, Sydhavn
- 2020–2021: (no race—Covid)
- 2022–2023: Reffen
- 2024: Spor 10
- 2025: TBC
We’re proud of where it’s been. And even more excited about where it’ll go next.
If you’ve been, you already know. If you haven’t, just show up. You’ll get it.
See you at the next Svajerløbet.
