Cycling in Germany - Short Guide [2024] - Navigate Germany

Germany is famous for cycle riding and is called a “nation of cycle riders.” According to Statistics, the number of bikes in Germany is almost equal to its population. Germans prefer to use cycles for all their needs, such as going to the supermarkets for groceries, buying groceries, and traveling to university or school.

Cycling Benefits

Cycle riding is very beneficial for physical and mental health. It makes you healthy and keeps you active and fresh throughout your day. It also positively impacts your mood, decreases anxiety, overcomes depression, improves cardiac health, provides strength to the body, and improves balance and body coordination.

Cycling Rules and Regulations

Age Requirements

The minimum age requirement to cycle is 10, but everyone, regardless of age, should follow the traffic, safety, and lane rules in Germany. Children attending schools can get a bicycle training course from a traffic school to help them understand the traffic rules and safe cycling practices.

Road-Worthy Bike

There are some requirements for cycling in Germany. Your bike must be compatible with the road-worthy bike requirements. According to the German Bicycle Association ADCF (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club), the bike must meet the following criteria.

Bicycle Bell

The bell of your cycle must be functioning correctly.

Reflectors

The white color reflector must be at the front, and the red color reflector must be at the back of your cycle. Two yellow reflectors must be on both pedals. Orange reflector strips must be on each wheel’s tyres and spokes.

Brakes

Two independently functioning brakes must be with both the front and back wheels.

Front and Back Lights

Your bike must have two non-blinking lights; front (white color light) and back (red color light), approved with the StraBenverkehrs-Zulassungs-Ordnung (StVZO).

Cycling Rules

Carrying Heavy Objects on The Bicycle

Carrying heavy stuff and overloading your cycle is not permitted in Germany, as it can cause issues in traffic.

Wearing a Helmet

You can wear a helmet for safety, but German law does not legally bind you.

No Cycling After Taking Drugs

It is not legally allowed to drink and ride a cycle in Germany. If you take sleep-induced medicines, you must not cycle, even if riding at a low speed. If you are caught by the police while riding after sedating medication, or drugs, you will have criminal charges.

No Phone While Cycling

Using a phone while riding is not permitted in Germany. Do not use or hold it in your hand while riding. If you are doing so, this will be an offensive act for which you must pay fines. Install a phone holder on your bike if you need to use a map.

No Headphones

In Germany, bike riders are not allowed to wear headphones while cycling because they must be able to hear the traffic on the roads.

Stay at The Right

Cycling in Germany is allowed only on the right-hand side of the road. If there is no bicycle lane on the road, ride your cycle at the right edge.

Riding in The Dedicated Bicycle Lane

Ride in the dedicated lane to avoid road accidents and penalties. Identify the bicycle lane with its features as mentioned here;

• The curb of the bicycle lane separates the road from the main road
• The cycle lane is at the extension of the pavement
• The pattern and color of the paving are different.
• The lane is marked with a bicycle diagram on it.

Avoid Side By Side Riding

Never ride a cycle side by side. Ride your cycle in the dedicated lane and be single.

Single Person on a Bicycle

You cannot ride your cycle with anyone else sitting on the same cycle. Riders are legally bound to ride alone.

One Hand or Freehand Cycling

According to German cycling laws, Freehand cycling or cycling with one hand is prohibited.

No Cycling on Highways and Motorways

In Germany, riding a bike on highways (Autobahns) or motorways is dangerous and prohibited. For long-distance cycling trips, use dedicated cycling routes.

Parking Your Bicycle

Parking is allowed anywhere in Germany except prohibited zones. Many bicycle stands offer safe parking. Keep an arm’s distance from the next vehicle when parking your cycle.

Turning Road Rules

Here are rules to follow when turning your cycle on the road.

Right Turn

Give a hand signal with your right hand to turn towards the right side of the road. If someone is crossing the road, let them cross and then move. 

Left Turn

Give a hand signal with your left hand to turn towards the left side of the road. Taking the left turn is tricky, so cross the road carefully.

Stopping Signals

When stopping your cycle in an emergency, give a stopping signal with your arm extending downward.

Traffic Fines If You Disobey Traffic Rules

• 15 Euros for wearing headphones
• 55 Euros for using or holding mobile devices
• 20 Euros for not riding your cycle in the dedicated lane
• 20 Euros for wrong direction
• 20 Euros for side-by-side cycling
• 80 Euros if you do not allow pedestrians to cross the road when the signal is green
• 25 Euros for fast cycling
• 60-180 Euros for avoiding signals and running away
• 800 – 3700 Euros for riding when drunk

Bicycle license in germany

You don’t need a license to ride a traditional bicycle, but it is necessary for a pedelec with a speed of more than 25 km/hr and a motor of more than 250 watts.

Pedelec Defined

Pedelecs is a cycle with an electric motor of up to 250 watts that works with a maximum speed of 25 km per hour. Riders are legally bound to ride in the dedicated lane.

Pedelecs with a maximum speed of 45 km/hr are considered small motorcycles for which you must have an AM driving license. Wearing a helmet and having insurance is necessary for these bicycles. You can only ride them on the dedicated lane or where a moped is permitted.

E-Bike Defined

An e-bike is an electronic bike equipped with an electric motor. It does not require a pedal like a bicycle, so it is called a motorised cycle. An E-bike with a maximum speed of 25 km/hr needs an M license (Mofa Bescheinigung). An E-bike with a maximum speed of 45 km/hr needs an AM license. You must have insurance for an electronic bike and wear a safety helmet when riding it.

Insurance Rules

Personal Liability Insurance

If you buy a cycle in Germany, you must have personal liability Insurance to cover the cost of accidents. These might include physical harm or property damage, costing you thousands to millions of Euros. Having personal liability insurance is easy: It only costs 4.99 Euros per month, and the coverage includes damage of approximately 30 million Euros.

Bike Theft Insurance

bike insurance is essential to cover the damage if your bicycle is stolen. The cost of bike theft insurance is only 2.99 Euros per month.

Things to Do in Case of An Accident

Wherever you go through an accident, do the following steps;

• Call an ambulance by dialing 112
• Call the police by dialing 110
• Take pictures to secure the scene.

Final Words

Cycling is very popular in Germany, and Germans love it due to its various physical and mental health benefits. Before you ride a cycle on German roads, understand the legal regulations to avoid penalties. Wear a safety helmet and follow the traffic rules to avoid any accidents.