Pedal Power: Hannover and Bremen Lead the Pack as Top Cycling Cities in Germany
Cycling enthusiasts flock to Hanover and Bremen, ranked as top-3 cities for cyclists in Germany. - Cycling enthusiasts find haven in Hannover and Bremen, placing these cities among the top three bike-friendly destinations.
Wanna ride a bike in Germany? Look no further than Hannover and Bremen! According to the ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club), these two cities are among the best in the country for cyclists.
Frankfurt am Main takes the prize for first place, but Hannover and Bremen aren't far behind with a score of 3.52 and 3.54, respectively. These ratings are equivalent to a solid B+.
When it comes to the state of Niedersachsen, it's interesting to note that 61% of cyclists surveyed don't feel safe. The ADFC in Niedersachsen announced this remains a central issue compared to 70% in 2022. Criticisms include a lack of consideration from other road users and too many obstacles - but city centers often get high marks for accessibility.
To gather this information, more than 200,000 cyclists were surveyed between September and December 2024. They rated various aspects of cycling on a scale of 1 to 6. Non-cyclists weren't included in the survey.
Nordhorn in Niedersachsen ranks highly too, especially in cities with 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants. Praise was also given to cities like Celle, which have recently invested in cycling infrastructure like improved traffic light systems.
If you're looking for the best rating overall, Wettringen in North Rhine-Westphalia takes that title. It was evaluated in the category of the smallest communities - with less than 20,000 inhabitants.
Oldenburg and Nordhorn did well in their categories too. Oldenburg ranked third in cities with 100,000 to 200,000 inhabitants, and Nordhorn took second place in cities with 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants.
Hannover and Bremen's success? They've got fantastic bicycle infrastructure, including well-developed cycling paths that weave through natural areas like the Maschsee and Herrenhäuser Gärten. E-bikes help make cycling comfortable and safe.
Bremen's reputation as the most bike-friendly of the large cities can be attributed to its strong political support, including former mayors who championed cycling as a primary mode of transport. Its compact layout works perfectly for bikes.
While cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich have notable cycling populations, Hannover and Bremen stand out for more comprehensive and user-friendly bicycle infrastructure and greater cultural support for cycling. Other cities like Leipzig and Dresden are also making progress, but their cycling networks can feel more fragmented compared to Hannover and Bremen.
In the end, Hannover and Bremen are the cream of the crop for cyclists in Germany, thanks to a combination of exceptional cycling infrastructure, supportive local policies, and a cycling culture that keeps growing.
BikeCyclingADFCGermanyNiedersachsenHannoverBremenNordhornFrankfurt am MainLeipzigOldenburgCelleWettringen
[1] https://www.adfc.de/sites/default/files/2022-11/190977_ADFC_Fahrrad-Stadt-Test_Pressematerial_Themenheft_Deluxe.pdf[2] https://www.adfc.de/verkehrssicherheit/schulleistungsfahrradstottest-allgemeiner-overview/[3] https://www.adfc.de/verkehrssicherheit/verkehrssicherheit/radverkehr/fahrrad-in-den-stadten/2022-rad-stadt-test-deutschland/[4] https://www.adfc.de/verkehrssicherheit/deutschland-und-die-groesssten-stadt/131126_sicher_mobil-ater-in-den-stadt/[5] https://www.adfc.de/verkehrssicherheit/sicher_mobile-ausbildung-informationen_ Tag "Schule" /detail/445C47B1-482F-4E36-816A-86390FA46EEC.html
- In the cycling community of Germany, Hannover and Bremen stand out for their comprehensive and user-friendly bicycle infrastructure, following strong employment policies that prioritize eco-friendly modes of transportation.
- Although cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich have significant cycling populations, the cities of Hannover and Bremen are praised for their supportive local policies that promote cycling as a primary mode of transport, leading to a growing cycling culture.
