Many German cities have flat, bike-friendly streets

To buy or to rent?

It is not necessary to buy a bicycle if you plan only on the occasional scenic ride or are visiting a town. For example, in Berlin you can rent a bike from Fahrradstation, which has several branches around town, for about EUR15 a day. Radius Bike Rental in Munich rents bikes for a similar price.

Deutsche Bahn also provides the "Call a Bike" system, where you can rent a bike for as long as you want. The bikes are red and silver and have a red DB sign on them, and you'll find them parked on various streets in Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne or Munich. They are heavy, but in excellent condition and ride very smoothly with their shock absorbers (handy when riding over the cobbled streets) and eight gears.

To rent one, call the number on the bike and follow the instructions (most receptionists speak English) to register and pay by credit card. You will be charged on a per-minute basis (EUR 0.06, maximum EUR 15 per day) so don't forget to call back when you've finished! See the Deutsche Bahn website for more information.

*quote1*However, if you are ready to commit to a bike for the long-haul (or at least a few weeks/months), it depends on what you are prepared to pay. Bikes from flea markets or classifieds can sell for as little as EUR 20, but you get what you pay for. A more reasonable second-hand price would be between EUR 80 and EUR 100. Check everything is in working order – chain, tyres, brakes, wheels, lights. A new bike can cost between EUR 200 and EUR 400 or even more the real enthusiast.

Finally, don't forget to buy a lock – the nicer your bike, the more potential it has of being stolen.

Get pedalling — safely

Many cities, such as Berlin, Munich and Hamburg, have flat, bike-friendly streets and include specially marked bike lanes with mini traffic lights. You are supposed to ride in the same direction as the cars – on the right hand side of the road. Cars turning right should give way to cyclists, but always double check that the driver isn't distractedly thinking about his dinner or the football.

While the odd fall may occur, helmets are not compulsory for cyclists in Germany

While the odd fall may occur, helmets are not compulsory for cyclists in Germany. Paths can become very slippery in the rain and in winter, so watch out. It's also worth buying a raincoat in the event you get caught in a downpour.

If you get tired of riding or want to find a more scenic area before you start pedalling, you have the option of catching a train with your bike. On the U- or S-Bahn you must purchase a bike ticket (Fahrradkarte) which means you can then carry your bike onto the train. This excludes peak-times on weekdays and you must use the marked carriages. However, you can't take your bike on a bus. On regional trains, you must reserve a space for your bike, which costs EUR 8 per trip (EUR 6 with a BahnCard).

Scenery galore

The numerous parks, forests, lakes and rivers in Germany make for idyllic bike-riding excursions. Most parks allow bike-riding, but be considerate of pedestrians.

'Radwandern', or bicycle touring, is very popular in Germany. The favourite routes include along the Rhine, Moselle, Elbe and Danube rivers and around the Lake Constance area. City tours by bicycle are popular too – check listings in guide books and on the internet.

If you're looking for some cycling tips, the Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad Club (ADFC) is an organisation for bike-riders in Germany and sells maps with cycle routes for within cities and the countryside. Deutsche Bahn publishes a magazine called 'Bahn and Bike', which includes routes, repair shops, rentals and maps.

Useful links

ADFC: http://www.adfc.de/ (in German)
Deutsche Bahn: http://www.db.de (some pages in English)
Fahrradstation: http://www.fahrradstation.de (in German but easy to follow. Click on "Miete" for rental prices)

August 2004
[Copyright Expatica 2004]

Subject: Life in Germany, cycling, bicycles