Get Your Bike Ready for a Spin: Hannover and Bremen Crush the Cycling Game
Top 3 Cycling-Friendly Cities: Hanover and Bremen Join the Rankings - Top Three Bicycle-Friendly Cities: Hannover, Bremen Shine Brightly for Cyclists
Hop on your bike and pedal your way around Hannover and Bremen, two of Germany's top-tier cycling destinations! According to the Cycling Climate Test conducted by the ADFC, these German powerhouses scored an impressive 3.52 and 3.54, placing them firmly in the runner-up and bronze medal positions, respectively, behind Frankfurt am Main (3.49).
Interestingly, the ratings for Hannover and Bremen haven't changed much since 2022, with both cities making the top three in the category of large cities boasting over 500,000 inhabitants. Leipzig followed close behind with a score of 3.70.
However, cyclists have voiced concerns about safety issues in the state of Lower Saxony. In a recent survey conducted by the ADFC, an alarming 61% of cyclists admitted to feeling unsafe! Despite this, it’s worth noting that this figure decreased from 70% in 2022, thanks to ongoing efforts to improve cycling conditions in the region. Lack of consideration from other road users and numerous obstacles continue to be frequent criticisms, but the accessibility of city centers often receives high praise.
Over 200,000 cyclists in Germany were polled between September and December 2024 for the ADFC's biennial survey. Participants were asked to rate various aspects on a scale of 1 to 6, including the importance of cycling and safety considerations. Only cyclists were included in the survey, and a sufficient number of 184,518 participants across 1,047 cities and communities were surveyed for a reliable analysis. Just under 23,000 people in Lower Saxony contributed to the data.
Apart from Hannover and Bremen, other standout performers in Lower Saxony include Oldenburg and Nordhorn in the County of Bentheim. In the category of medium-sized cities (100,000 to 200,000 inhabitants), Oldenburg scored 3.58, while Nordhorn (2.83) earned the second-place spot in the small cities category (50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants). Nordhorn also holds the title as the best-rated city and community in Lower Saxony. Cities like Celle have also received recognition for their recent investments in cycling infrastructure, such as better traffic light systems.
The coveted highest national score of 1.55 went to the municipality of Wettringen in North Rhine-Westphalia, which was evaluated in the category of smallest communities (less than 20,000 inhabitants).
- Hannover
- Bremen
- ADFC
- Bicycle
- Germany
- Lower Saxony
- Nordhorn
- Frankfurt am Main
- Leipzig
- The ADFC's biennial survey, conducted between September and December 2024, considered the employment policy of over 200,000 cyclists in Germany, including cyclists from cities like Hannover and Bremen in Lower Saxony.
- Despite the safety concerns expressed by cyclists in Lower Saxony, the employment policy in the cycling sector continues to attract a significant number of cyclists, as evidenced by the vibrant cycling communities in cities like Hannover and Bremen.
