Who knew a bicycle girl could stir such controversy? Right here on Nørrebrogade 14 stands Cykelpigen a vibrant mural painted in 1993. This isn’t just any artwork. Cykelpigen is a significant piece of Copenhagen’s street art scene. It celebrates the city’s cycling culture. The mural’s creation came about thanks to Copenhagen’s initiative to support art on the city’s walls. This specific gable was available because the building next door at Nørrebrogade 16 burned down during the 1944 general strike. The owner was reportedly pro-German.
Seppo Mattinen a Finnish artist was chosen to create the artwork. His inspiration was the lively cycling culture of Nørrebro. Cykelpigen became a local icon. A symbol of the area’s spirit. Sadly the mural faced demolition in early 2019. Renovations to the building were planned. The building’s owners wanted to install French balconies. This would cover Cykelpigen. Despite offers from Ny Carlsbergfondet to save the mural it was lost. The French balconies proved insurmountable. They were deemed more important than preserving the artwork. The mural’s fate highlights a tension. A tension between urban development and the preservation of public art.
The story of Cykelpigen is far from over though. The mural’s legacy lives on. Its image continues to appear in photographs and online. It represents a lost piece of Copenhagen’s artistic heritage. People still recall the vibrant colors. The free spirit of the cycling girl. Cykelpigen serves as a reminder. A reminder that art can be fleeting. But its impact can endure. The debate surrounding its removal also highlights the importance of protecting public art. We should consider the value of street art. We should protect it from the march of urban renewal.