IN THE GERMANy CYCLING NETWORK – Cycle paths

The beautiful side of the coin

In spring, nature and man awaken in equal measure. It is finally time to turn our faces to the sun and spend more of our time outdoors.

We urgently need to recharge our batteries, even more so since Corona. We don’t like to experience a winter like the one at the end of 2020/beginning of 2021, but we have learned something from it: according to reports, it will be years before Corona will no longer occupy us as an annoying cold. What is hard to accept is fact. So: it will take time. Longer than initially suspected.

What remains for us to do is to adjust to it, and this by no means means to bury our heads in the sand and wait motionlessly until the much-loved normality of yesteryear returns. Acceptance of the actual state makes it easier for us to look ahead and thus opens us up to finally seeing the possibilities again, and our individual opportunities. We propose to make something really good out of every time. Your options are as colourful as a bouquet of flowers, so pick out what suits you best!

A little diversions to the cycle path …

Nature always helps!

A view of the countryside is not only always allowed, but also pacifies our nervous minds. The best counterbalance to the consequences of our fast-paced and success-oriented performance society.

Is it natural to always perform at our best? No, but it is expected, regardless of our nature. The balancing act between fulfilling our needs and the demand to be at the forefront of professional life is supported immensely by a healthy lifestyle. This is the only way we can keep going without seriously jeopardising our health. In this respect, we should never shy away from reflecting on this very matter, i.e. reviewing our individual all-round status from time to time.

When we at MHW recommend Get out into nature!… we mean much more than just satisfying the longing for relaxation: Being outdoors helps restless people take a deep breath and sort out their thoughts. And nature is fair: it doesn’t matter whether we spend time alone or with our family in the green. It offers full enjoyment to everyone, without exception.

Completely contrary to this is the car, which, by the way, is becoming steadily more unpopular. We clearly recognise and welcome the changing view of recent years. In the meantime, the associations regarding our motor vehicles are predominantly negative. Instead, cars conjure up devastating images: for example, smog-shrouded skylines and gridlocked lines of cars polluting everything around them not only with stench but also with noise, not to mention the unnecessary loss of many hours. Not to mention the horrendous fuel prices and other expenses. We also don’t like to see squirrels run over on the asphalt – or cats, hedgehogs, foxes … The subject of driving is increasingly running counter to the understanding of a modern life.

What else can be considered negative?

What hardly anyone knows: the pollutant load in cars exceeds that of the outside air! The soot on buildings destroys their surfaces, and the wear and tear on the roads is also much higher than with a bicycle. Nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons, indeed air pollution as a whole, make cities unattractive. The car stands in the way of “green and sporty tourism”.

From an ecological point of view, the matter is clear. In addition, democratic values play a role. For example, we encourage young and old to be independent by cycling and to reach various destinations easily. For this, well-developed bicycle networks are indispensable! Politically, we can make ourselves less dependent on energy sources by simply using less energy. Moving around by bike means improved traffic flow, more space and less noise. Big plus points for any place to live! As we can see, cycle paths are directly linked to all these points. Because without optimised cycling networks, the exemplary way of getting around with all its advantages is prevented.

A rethink has long since taken place in many places. 82% of Europeans put environmental issues at the top of the opinion shelf, but saying something is not enough. We need to act and we can only turn the tide if we have local communities, authorities and politicians on our side to take on the big tasks – like adapting the infrastructure. The petty warfare that sometimes breaks out between motorists, pedestrians and bikers is ultimately due more to the circumstances than to the character of the individuals. A lot of improvements in terms of infrastructure and safety are missing here.

Leisure and the search for the perfect destination

In no time at all, we fetched our bicycle from the garage and swung ourselves onto the saddle. There is only one tiny problem: where to go? Those who don’t cycle to work early in the morning every day, but also like to get into the saddle in their free time, are often faced with this question, because the topic of cycle paths has been treated stepmotherly for a long time. After all, we are now seeing progress, and that’s exactly what we want to talk about.

What is currently happening in Germany and specifically in our immediate surroundings? What do we do if we don’t want to get in the car to ride one of the twenty most beautiful German routes … if we want to start right on our doorstep? In general, you might think that only those who spend hours looking for a great route can then relax and get on their bikes. Is that true, or is it more a description of the way things were in the old days? What has actually changed over the last few years and what can we still look forward to?

Let’s start with Germany

We Germans like well-kept roundabouts. Riding on the side of a busy (country) road is abhorrent to us, we never want to subject our children to that, who unintentionally ride in a serpentine fashion or simply turn around because they want to show us, grinning broadly, how many mosquitoes they have involuntarily picked up with their incisors ..

We expect idyllic cycle paths that show us Germany’s most beautiful sides. Streams, lakes, wide fields to the right and left, flowering avenues, lush meadows and fragrant forests, castles and palaces, with stops in front of the flagships of German food culture. Don’t spill it, make it count! A cool, well-cared-for beer after a tour makes both men’s and women’s hearts beat faster. Only with a full stomach and a properly quenched thirst is a tour really perfect. And if you have children in your luggage, then at least a playground should be available during the relaxed snack break, because unlike us, the little ones are still as fit as trainers.

One thing that amazes me when researching the topic of “Germany as a country of cyclists” is that our cycling networks are better developed than in any other European country. Would you have thought that? Especially when you cycle through your own city, you can either say yes or shake your head vehemently. What do the field reports show? If you zoom in and put this information through its paces, you will see that there is still a lot wrong with it. Too much! The ADAC has a sobering opinion on the assessment of the German cycle path status. It believes that all we have is mediocrity. The few very good routes disappear under the flood of bad ones.

When you consider that many cycle paths require cycling around rubbish bins, squeezing through narrow passages, dodging parked cars or sharing the path with pedestrians, this can hardly be considered optimal, and yet we outrank other countries. This clearly shows that for far too long little attention has been paid to cyclists underground. But one should not give up hope; after all, attention is being focused on significant improvements throughout Germany. Taking individual measures and making targeted improvements where they are urgently needed is no longer one of the utopias of individual municipalities. Instead, we can observe how slow but steady progress is being made.

Where do you want to go?

It is certainly worthwhile to start your cycling tour in one of Germany’s 105 nature parks, even if it usually involves long journeys. But if all the cyclists head for typical destinations like Lake Chiemsee or Lake Baldeney at the same time, it can get pretty crowded on the cycle paths. Afterwards, you may feel really ready for a holiday. And if you can avoid missing the point, then let’s just do it.

Finding beautiful standard destinations is really easy and not our concern; moreover, these “best routes” are considered “relatively difficult”, which is why the offspring are left out in their demand for fun. One more reason to look for better solutions. We don’t need superlatives at the peak of the season. Let’s take a step back from the best, the most beautiful and the most amazing – let others crowd around the lakes there – and zoom in close to your questions.

Let’s go!

What we would like to recommend to you right from the start is to take a look at the ADFC website. In addition, the ADAC also offers support in your search. However, at least with the ADAC it costs something if you treat yourself to apps like the bicycle tour planner or the hiking guide. You also have to pay something for the advertised cycle maps, which can be purchased via the following link: www.adac-shop.de/reiseliteratur/fahrradkarten. We say it’s worth it, but not everyone wants to spend money on them. That’s why we’re giving you a few free tips ..

Where should I search?

If you don’t want to spend money on your search, you will be almost overwhelmed by the offers on the internet. During our research, however, we came across some really helpful sites.

We can recommend the service page of the ADFC. The following link will take you to quality routes: www.adfc-radtourismus.de/

Tested by the ADFC and wonderfully easy to use. Simply select your federal state and your desired region, choose the trail, for example the family route, a theme route or mountain biking, then decide on the route length and the route type, and you can also specify the desired characteristics of the route. Afterwards, you will certainly be pleased with what the planner spits out for you. It’s a really convenient story that lets you find your destination within seconds. If you want to take children with you, you will have less choice, but all of the specified destinations are perfect without exception, i.e. first-class quality. If that doesn’t help, you can simply surf for yourself. Search services spit out enough if you enter “cycle paths” and your surroundings or the federal state – depending on how far away the destination may be.

We also recommend – especially if you are travelling on sites that simply name all routes without going into their quality – that you also google for experience values for the selected route so that you don’t have a rude awakening. In our experience, the above link to the ADFC route selection leaves nothing to be desired. You’re on the safe side with that. Or how about a forum where cyclists can exchange ideas with others? For example, you can do this on Radforum.de If you enter the search term “cycle paths” there, you will quickly find that this is a hot topic. Frustration seems to be very high in general, especially with regard to inner-city cycle paths.

Beware!

10,000 danger spots have been marked within Germany by cyclists themselves via the ADAC. Missing or defective routes are among them, as are dangerous intersections. In 2019, 460 cyclists were involved in accidents. Sometimes permanently parked “ghost bikes” remind us of them – monuments that do not let us forget accidents and their deaths. Fortunately, since last year the trend has been more conciliatory. The number of casualties is falling again and we very much hope that this development will be supported by means of safe infrastructures. High fines sometimes at least prevent parking on cycle paths, but the wrong thing still happens too often. The obvious danger to cyclists seems to be simply accepted in some places. Sometimes the transport minister may pose for photos with a helmet in front of the presidium, but that alone is of little use.

No time for pessimism!

When you consider what has changed all these years, we can breathe a sigh of relief! Once cyclists were ridiculed, then pitied, but it has become clear what really matters. Namely, perseverance and prudence. Cyclists are to be envied and heeded. They belong to a movement of the future that strives exclusively forward and enjoys exemplary status, at all levels.

A promising look into the future:

45 million euros are not only available but directly planned for the expansion of the German cycle network – thanks to the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure! This sum is available until 2023, and you can do something with that, can’t you? In concrete terms, this means optimising regional routes for tourism, which also includes the overall quality, which is now to be adapted according to the quality criteria of the ADFC. The signposting is to be improved, and we are always happy about clarity. In addition, cycle sites and cycle parking facilities will be improved in the future, as well as the expansion of rental systems and charging stations.

But that’s not all. Optimised digitalisation should help exactly where some have failed so far. This means that no one has to be afraid of cycle route planners any more. Such an RRP-D should not confuse, but help quickly. In addition, the cycle networks will be optimised so that, at best, it is possible to start a tour by bike at every doorstep without being honked at and forced off the road. We certainly don’t want to inhale exhaust fumes while recreational cycling and are therefore very happy about the announcements. All shortcomings should increasingly be a thing of the past. And what do we see from this? Well, the trend! The trend is clearly in favour of an increase in the number of cyclists!

Since 2002, the number of cyclists has risen significantly, which is partly due to the increasing number of variants: Freight bikes, e-bikes, pedelecs … there is now something for everyone. The boom is here to stay, and we at MHW are happy to have one of the fastest trend horses on the track, because we have always trusted that cycling would by no means be a mere fad, but that this winning steed would become comprehensively faster. Voila, we were right! Now we still lack reliable information, uniform (infra-)structures, reliable responsibilities and necessary support staff for all actors. Actually quite manageable. That could be done, couldn’t it?

Sit, six! Or: Lucky are the people of Kiel!

People who live in Kiel want to cycle. The authorities there do everything right. Hanover and Mainz received a poor rating, while Bremen, Dresden, Erfurt, Munich, Saarbrücken and Stuttgart only received an adequate rating. Perhaps the so-called pop-up cycle paths are also to blame for the poor ratings? Never heard of them? If you haven’t had to encounter them yet, you’re certainly better off anyway, because these were suddenly and usually quite rashly stamped out of the ground due to the sudden increase in cyclists – because of Corona. Often only in the form of spray-painted colour-bikes at the edge of the carriageway, in conjunction with a thin line probably intended to show the width of the cycle path. Partly, and much better, combined with spontaneously erected signs…at least more visible to motorists.

Pop-ups are well known. These usually annoying advertisements suddenly appear when you open a new website. The only difference is that a pop-up on the internet seldom means danger, while cycle paths with the same name in road traffic should be treated with caution. If such paths are to exist in the long term, the initially yellow-marked routes will finally be made safe and expanded accordingly. Incidentally, thanks to the virus, pop-up cycle paths have also been created that cyclists liked so much that they demonstrated for their preservation. In some cases, for example in Berlin, the suddenly created paths were nevertheless removed again due to court decisions. The reason given was “serious doubts about the legality.” Here, too, one can see the double-edged sword.

There are always many sides to be examined, and the various cases are too individual to be lumped together. In the end, each of us has to become an explorer if we are not already fully aware of the traffic situation within our area. Or one interviews friends who know their way around. Nevertheless, the changes since 2002 require us to update our own knowledge from time to time anyway. Pop-up cycle paths – or also called Corona cycle paths – have shown us, last but not least, one thing: Where there’s a will, there’s a pop-up cycle track! Many saw these as early projects, promising makeshift possibilities, so to speak, which showed how quickly cyclists can be given more attention and space. So let’s hope for more willpower!

Long tours – So, now it should become concrete ..

Are you one of those who can hardly wait to admire enchanting idylls or to ride for hours on your road bike next summer? Corona or not: cycling tours remain the perfect alternative to holidays abroad. Touring Germany’s countryside on your bike may even be far more impressive than sunbathing on the beach. So why not resolve this year to spend your holiday in a completely different way; perhaps as a start to health-conscious leisure behaviour, to name just one of many options? Biking makes you fit and happy.

7000 kilometres connect around 700 communities across Germany. Safety should be a priority. Depending on the federal state, you can easily find your link to cycling happiness: Baden Württemberg claims to know what’s important. Let’s pick out this federal state to illuminate points that can also be applied to other federal states … Baden Württemberg says it needs a consistent and easy-to-understand infrastructure. Flyers are filled with such ideas and the interested reader is made to believe that BW meets exactly these requirements.

So can we in BW indulge our passion for cycling without any worries? A report by the ADAC from October 2020 rather describes a critical view of the state of affairs. With this assessment, Stuttgart, as already mentioned, receives just a grade 4. The ADAC examined the situation in five state capitals, and we all know that often the representative cities are privileged. So if there’s a problem there, it’s even more so in the outlying towns, isn’t it? Let’s see what the ADAC tells us. For example, the cycle paths are often too narrow. They should be two metres wide, but most paths are at least 40 centimetres off that. Too bad.

120 random samples share verdicts between good and poor. To the credit of all those responsible, the verdict “good” was the most frequent. Nevertheless, one must note: trying out a new route often still resembles a game of chance. Not to be too critical, however, we can now be quite optimistic about our luck. As a family man or woman, it is definitely a good idea to try out a new route yourself first before jumping into the fun with all the kids. And once you have done that and found the new route to be good, nothing can go wrong with a helmet, a small first aid kit and a lock.

Watch out for thieves!

If you go on long tours, you take lots of breaks. Bicycle thieves are everywhere. That’s why we strongly recommend good locks. At our switchboard, we get an increasing number of enquiries about frame numbers that have been misplaced by customers who want to provide the police with all the data so that they can track down the stolen bike. Don’t skimp on the lock, make it as difficult as possible for bike thieves and don’t get angry about the minutes it takes to lock and unlock your bike. Who wants to go out for ice cream when they secretly fear that their bike might get lost in the meantime?

In the summer of 2020, we also heard a lot about crashes, especially at the typical touring destinations par excellence, such as Lake Chiemsee, etc. There were enormous numbers of crashes there. There was a huge rush of cyclists there. So please don’t forget your helmets and a small first aid kit! Often riders and hikers cross the path, so preventive safety measures and prior maintenance of your bike should always be at the top of your checklist.

MHW Bike House in the beautiful town of Schwäbisch Hall – A little inside story

We at MHW are delighted about the assurance from the state. The cycle networks in the Hall area are officially “worthy of investment”, so to speak. And since Corona restricts holidays to the immediate vicinity, all the more should finally be invested in it.

Germany is nice enough to relax in, and let’s face it: if there’s no more fear of flying, no more suitcases, no more precautionary vaccinations, no more diarrhoea and no more travel problems abroad, then the holiday destination at home gets a few extra points. So there is still enough recreation for everyone. Maybe we’ll enjoy the chance to finally get to know more beautiful places in our neighbourhood? Let’s use insider tips. Or how about a planned GPS tour with a little treasure hunt? After all, the Woldwideweb is not affected by the virus. We can easily combine technical refinements with experiences in nature – the insider tip par excellence for parents. Let’s turn our houseflies into explorers! And: If our “pubescent animal” can’t even be elicited enthusiasm with GPS treasure hunts, a visit to media addiction counselling might really be in order..

We at MHW from Schwäbisch Hall took a look at what our city has to offer. As an example for our region, we found the website www.radfahren-bw.de/hohenlohe-schwaebisch-hall/. A closer look shows an appealing clarity, attractive illustrations including an easy usability. Relevant details about each route are informative enough, and each route can also be rated. And reading the experiences of others is often worth its weight in gold to find what you are looking for.

The subdivision of the page makes you want more, invites you to browse. Fortunately, there is not too much in the way of impressions. Another plus point, after all, you only want to spend as much time as necessary planning your route. It is inspiring to take a closer look at the “holiday planning” tab there. This way, we can ask about cycle-friendly accommodation, cycle service stations and package deals as well as guided cycle routes. We claim that our city and the Heilbronner Land Tourist Association have done everything right with this site. And we can assure you that you will find a similar site for your city.

The bottom line

Our conclusion. A comprehensive and optimistic picture presents itself with regard to almost all federal states: In towns and cities, cycling is mostly mixed and often not without danger. There is still a lot of room for improvement. We console ourselves with the fact that plans for improvements are underway throughout Germany and look forward to the time when the ADFC and ADAC announce that the “very good routes” have long since outnumbered the bad ones.

Cycling routes to fill one or more holidays, leading through idylls, can be found everywhere. During the high season, however, we recommend not necessarily targeting the most popular routes in Germany. This increases the chance of enjoying your tour without crowds. There are countless practical ways to find “your tour”, according to your individual needs.

And for those who absolutely want to stick to the very best: “Schöne Radwege.de” links you directly to the most beautiful routes in your federal state. We’ve warned you: in high season you won’t be alone … And then a little tip: “Fahrradreisen.de” offers the largest database for bicycle tours and is therefore also worth a close look.

What the Germans want, others want too

The obstacle for most Germans is by no means their inner pig dog. Many have long wanted to get on their bikes much more often, but simply despair of the lack of cycle paths to connect them with their destination. The cyclists … Almost 30 percent of all Germans get on their bikes at least once a week. And there are significantly more bikes than cars. 90 percent of all cycle routes are already passable. If that doesn’t give you hope … Maybe it’s time to look at this matter with relief and positivity. Let’s just make our own experiences!

Our plea to all those who can make a difference:

Please take care of the extensions and improvements of the cycle paths. Which includes widening the space a bit for all cyclists. Wider routes that are neither blocked by cars nor overlooked by inattentive pedestrians … Please take care of more safety at tricky places like intersections. You can do this with clearer signage and demarcations. Please expand services, which should include parking facilities. And we need more garages.

The transport possibilities in public transport are also expandable. There is a lack of charging stations for motorised bicycles. We ask for more dissemination of information in the form of comprehensive campaigns to make our fellow citizens more considerate. Cyclists, pedestrians and car drivers are all in the same traffic boat and need more insight into each other’s world. This is the only way to promote general circumspection.

And in the end, what do we all gain?

The implementation of such points not only attracts visitors to our city, but also facilitates the everyday life of everyone who either travels to work or generally frequently on a bicycle – or finally wants to do so! We would enjoy less air pollution, fewer parking spaces needed and a higher quality of life. In addition, we must not forget: If cyclists are given more space and more attention from the political side, this will in turn have an effect on other road users who tend to overlook us. We could save time through fewer traffic jams. As is so often the case: The masses make the difference. The more people who are able to move actively through their daily lives and make use of what their city has to offer, the larger the relevant figures within the statistics will be and the more impressive the positive balance will be.

Last but not least

Many things were nice in the past, but not everything was better

Perhaps some of you remember your younger years. How, as a child, you would look at mosquito larvae in a puddle, climb straw bales in a field or have the most fun on your child’s bicycle, fighting your way through rough terrain with your friends – you felt like a hero or a racer, sometimes even fulfilling the script of your own fantasy and experiencing one adventure after another. The older you get and the more you wean yourself off your fantasy, the more a sense of duty and responsibility swallows you up. Therefore, with one’s own child, a parent is given back something that was lost when growing up: because one is allowed to have a share in the refreshing fantasy of one’s child.

Some don’t need that at all. They take much more pleasure in quiet or in-depth conversations with like-minded people. But no matter how the individual is wired, it seems the most natural thing to do to be activated by fresh air and lush greenery. 30 minutes of exercise a day reduces the risk of heart attack by as much as 50 percent! All over the world, cycling evokes the same associations of freedom and independence. Every cyclist gets the extra years of life for free … At the beginning of industrialisation, the environmental issue was non-existent. One of the good things about today’s world is the realisation that we can lose everything – animal species, healthy nature and ultimately our own years of life. It is up to our politicians to bring about and/or support decisive change. If success is ultimately not pursued, efforts are not made and people doubt the seriousness of those in power.

We want to be led by people who open doors for us that our arms are too weak to open. In return, we do our utmost and fulfil the rest. And if necessary, we take the first step and prove what is possible for us. So let’s go! What improves is in our own hands!