ABSTRACT
In this chapter we detail Copenhagen’s toll ring debate by first reviewing congestion pricing concepts (a toll or charge on cars and trucks entering certain areas) and situate Copenhagen’s experience with examples of congestion pricing and road pricing debates around the world. Next we outline the history of Copenhagen’s toll ring debate, culminating in 2011–2012 when the Social Democrats, supported by Neoliberal and Right/Conservative parties, thwarted the city’s efforts to implement the toll. After the historical narrative we ask: Why does Copenhagen not yet have congestion pricing? Copenhagen might be an iconic bicycling city but it is also increasingly filling up with cars, especially cars from the suburbs. All of this points back to the question of how many cars should there be in the city, not just in Copenhagen, but in cities around the world.
