On your bike! Creating a new national cycle network in Denmark

Can outdoor wayfinding information increase activity and improve user satisfaction? Marco Berends is leading the Future Recreational Network wayfinding project in Denmark and shared experiences of designing new information to encourage outdoor recreation across the country. Fenne Roefs from MijksWise is collaborating on the project and gave us insights into their innovative, ongoing design work and network user research. This ambitious wayfinding project forms the foundation for a new nationwide network for cycling, hiking and other outdoor activities in Denmark. Marco and Fenne explained the complex design processes involved in designing such a large-scale public wayfinding project, and shared ideas for recreational signage and a user-centred approach at key stages of it. They highlighted the factors particularly important for user experience and what, as information designers, we can learn from the many stakeholders involved in a public network.

About our speakers

Marco Berends is Project Manager at Danish Cycling Tourism who aim to develop recreational cycling in Denmark. He has a degree in Architecture and Communication Design and has worked with wayfinding specialists Mijksenaar, City ID and Triagonal and now and specialises in transportation wayfinding and mapmaking. Originally from The Netherlands, Marco is currently based in Copenhagen.

Fenne Roefs is Director of MijksWise, an institute dedicated to developing and strengthening knowledge of wayfinding. She conducts research, provides expertise to support clients and professionals, and creates bespoke educational programmes. Fenne has a background in both cognitive psychology and graphic design. She has spent five years as a user interface researcher at Delft University of Technology, and 11 years as a wayfinding designer, project manager and creative director at Mijksenaar.

Recording