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Discover Germany on Two Wheels: Where Cycling Meets Culture and Scenic Adventure**

Cycling in Germany is an integral part of the country’s culture, transportation system, and lifestyle. With a well-developed infrastructure, scenic routes, and a strong cycling tradition, Germany is one of the most bike-friendly countries in Europe

The following was shared by DeWet Herselman

The entire cycling scene in Germany took some getting used to when I arrived here. In South Africa, its sort of all kitted out serious health fanatics on bikes, and few other people ever use a bike after you’ve left school. However, the scene in Germany is significantly different.
A survey on the frequency of bicycle usage in Germany 2017-2020 found that in 2020, 9.8 percent of the German population hopped on a bike daily, while 17.1 percent did so several days a week.
Cycling is both a popular way to commute as well as a recreational activity.

Furthermore, the vast variety of bikes available here makes cycling the perfect way to get some sort of exercise, even if you’re not a serious athlete.
This includes road bikes, racing bikes, commuting bikes, e-bikes, mountain bikes, tandems and even family bikes (those with trailers for dogs or children).
Just in the e-bike category, you’ve got a wide choice of road, touring, light touring, commute, mountain or (again) family e-bikes.

I bought a so-called Light-Tourer e-bike in July 2019, and with this discovered an entirely new perspective on living and travelling in Germany.
In 24 months I’ve cycled more than 5000 of leisure training kilometres and incidentally found a very fulfilling ‘hobby’.
There are more than 200 cycle roads (that’s long-distance routes crisscrossing the country) besides all the normal cycle lanes in and around towns and cities.
So what better way to spend Saturdays than to hop on your bike, and head off on an exploring trip of a new valley or nature area or countryside where you are bound to find a ‘Biergarten’ to refuel and get plenty of photo opportunities of the stunning German countryside or ancient towns? As we got fitter and fitter I realised why an e-bike is such a good choice. It enables you to travel further while still providing adequate sweat and pulse to get you fitter.

I haven’t yet participated in cycle races in Germany, as I just enjoy the travelling and exploring part of it.
Funnily though, Germany’s official cycling took quite a knock due to doping scandals after 2012, which means in competitive events, it is more the serious athletes that participate than in South Africa where there are many ‘social’ cycle races to participate in. But the social individual cycling opportunities on dedicated cycle paths (thus no shoulder rubbing with cars, or worse, taxis) more than make up.
Don’t feel offended when you are easily overtaken by a small grey-haired lady on a bike on a steep incline while you’re sweating your way up – she probably just has more experience and a stronger e-bike.

The two most common cycling apps I’m aware of is Kamoot and Strava, while Google Maps also enable decent cycle routes.
Most fitness trackers link with these apps and keep good statistics of your cycling expeditions, which adds to the enjoyment.

Go get a bike, and a decent padded pair of shorts since cycling in that area is a contact sport and Google some nice cycle paths in your area to explore. Oh, and report on your adventures on South Africans in Germany.

Scenic Routes and Long-Distance Cycling

Germany offers a diverse range of cycling routes that cater to both casual riders and experienced cyclists. The country is home to some of Europe’s most beautiful and well-marked long-distance cycling routes, known as “Radfernwege.” These routes traverse stunning landscapes, from the shores of the Baltic Sea to the banks of the Rhine River, through picturesque villages, forests, and rolling hills.

One of the most famous routes is the Danube Cycle Path, which starts in Germany and follows the Danube River through Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary. Another popular route is the Romantic Road, which takes cyclists through charming medieval towns, castles, and vineyards in Bavaria. For those interested in history, the Berlin Wall Trail offers a unique opportunity to explore the former division of East and West Berlin by bike.

Routes

Here is a list of websites and apps to help you plan your cycling trips across Germany and the rest of Europe. Whether you’re looking for detailed route maps, real-time navigation, or recommendations on the best cycling paths, these resources will ensure you have everything you need for an unforgettable cycling adventure.

Useful Apps and Websites

Renting bikes
In most cities you can rent a bicycle, just do a search.

 

Second Hand Bicyles and parts

 
Adventure tracks
Greenhill in NRW

Rules and regulation

For comprehensive and up-to-date information on cycling rules in Germany, you can visit the ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club) website. The ADFC is Germany’s national cycling association, and its site provides detailed guides on cycling laws, safety tips, and regional cycling information. They also offer resources in English for non-German speakers.

Some key rules:

Bike Equipment Requirements:

  • Lights: Bicycles must have front and rear lights. A white front light and a red rear light are mandatory.
  • Reflectors: Bicycles need front, rear, and wheel reflectors.
  • Brakes: Bicycles must be equipped with two independent brakes.
  • Bell: A functioning bell is required.

Traffic Rules:

  • Cycle Paths: Cyclists must use designated cycle paths when available. If none exist, cyclists should ride on the road.
  • Right of Way: Cyclists must follow the same right-of-way rules as cars. Pedestrians always have the right of way on pedestrian crossings.
  • Traffic Lights: Cyclists must obey traffic lights and signs. Some cities have special lights for cyclists.
  • Helmet: Wearing a helmet is recommended but not legally required, except for children under the age of 12.

Behaviour on the Road

  • No Phones: Cyclists are prohibited from using mobile phones without a hands-free device.
  • Alcohol Limits: The legal blood alcohol limit for cyclists is 0.05%, but penalties start if you cause an accident or exhibit unsafe behaviour.
  • Signalling: Hand signals must be used to indicate turning or stopping.
  • Pedestrian Crossing: Cyclists are generally required to dismount and walk their bicycles across pedestrian crossings. 

Children and Cycling:

  • Child Seats: Children under 7 years old may only be transported in a proper child seat.
  • Trailers: Bicycles pulling trailers with children must be equipped with extra lights and reflectors.

Related Content

Participating in Sports in Germany

Sports in Germany South Africans are generally a sport-crazy bunch. Not just watching it, but also actively taking part. Participating in sports here in Germany has its challenges, mostly due to the weather. But, as the German saying goes – there isn’t something like bad weather, only bad clothing and many South Africans in Germany live by this motto and go out for a run or a cycle in what would be considered “stay home and light the fire” weather back in South Africa. We will try and list some resources for some sports activities here to help you get “back into the saddle” here in Germany. Running Running in Germany is a popular sport, even though it can get quite cold in Germany in winter. That being said, it also has a certain magic about going for a run in the snow – not to talk about the good training it is to run in ankle-deep snow, similar to running on beach sand! The winter attire for running might be a little unusual for South Africans, especially the men, with tights galore. However, one runs not to look good while you run, but afterwards, right? Anyway, one overly freezing run without tights, convinces one to accept and adapt very fast. In summer running is really a pleasure in Germany, since the tons of cycling routes available in Germany provide an excellent way to explore and build your running capacity without having to battle vehicular traffic. Another great pleasure of running in Germany is the fact that often a lake is normally not all too far away, so a quick dip to cool down is a real option on many running routes. Running events and race day Taking part in official running events (races, like half-marathons or marathons, etc) in Germany is a little less formalised than in South Africa, in the sense that you don’t have to belong to a club to join official runs. Most running events are organised by sports clubs and the participation fee covers all elements of the run. Generally speaking, the earlier you enter the race, the cheaper it becomes. Often you can also enter on the day of a race (as long as the maximum capacity has not been reached), at approximately double the cost of an early entrant. What sometimes takes some getting used to is that races in Germany normally start much later in the day (a race starting at 10:00 or even later is not unusual, especially in winter) than in South Africa. Water supply during a race is also quite different in Germany than in South Africa, with cups being used rather than sachets as in SA, making it much harder to run-and-drink in our opinion. What you can also often do at many of the longer races is to prepare and drop off your own drinks a day before the race (normally when you pick up your race number) which the event organisers will then position for you along the route. This is a good way to get around the cup-drinking-mess if you are so inclined. Most larger races also offer good race logistics, such as bag drop services and shower facilities after the race. Some good race listing sites suggested by our members are: Lauftreff: http://www.lauftreff.de/laufkalender/ (where you can sort the races by your postal code (PLZ)) MyRaceLand: https://www.myraceland.com/en/running-calendar/germany/ Everyday running and our Strava club For your everyday running, the app Strava can help a lot to help you find routes in your local vicinity. We also have our own “South Africans in Germany” running club listed on Strava under the following link: https://www.strava.com/clubs/956800. Feel free to join our online running club there and share your running ups and downs with us. The Strava app is also the most popular app in South Africa, so you can follow and support both your friends back in South Africa as well as South Africans in Germany easily in one app. Cricket Yes, cricket is played actively here in Germany.  Cycling Read more about cycling on our cycle page Feel free to join our Strava group under the following link where you can share your passion directly with other South Africans in Germany: https://www.strava.com/clubs/956800. Swimming Swimming is a great low-impact workout that helps improve cardiovascular health and promote mental wellness. It is very unlikely for Fitness clubs (Gyms) to have swimming pools. If you would like to train for swimming as a sport, you will need to join a Swimming club (Schwimmverein)Another option is to contact the German Life Saving Association (DLRG) or join a sports club like Urban Sports Club, which partners with many other clubs and sports facilities.The Facebook group “Bist du heute shcon geschwommen” is very informative Rugby, Soccer (Football) and other team sports If you participate in team sports (especially rugby) here in Germany, please reach out to us via our contact form – we would love to share your club or events or experiences here. Groups and Forums There is a Sports forum on this website, that is open to everyone to read. To add content you need to be a registered member (no member fees) We also have groups on our website. Currently, the sports-related groups are hiking, rugby, and cricket. Only members can see these groups. They can also great new groups and invite friends  Watching sports Related content

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Travel in the Schengen Area

Travel within the Schengen Area “The Schengen Area is a zone comprised of 29 European states which have officially abolished passports and other types of border control at their mutual borders. For visitors, it effectively means that the Schengen Area acts as a singular country, i.e. once you enter one Schengen country you have entered them all.”  See ETIAS Visa for more information.Not all EU countries are in Schengen, and some non-EU countries (like Norway and Switzerland) are part of Schengen.You can find a list of the Schengen area countries here. Schengen visa A Schengen visa is a short-term visa that allows non-EU citizens to stay in the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, typically for tourism or business. Aufenthaltstitel An Aufenthaltstitel (residence permit) is a general term for a legal residence status in Germany, granted for work, study, or family reunification. Aufenthaltserlaubnis A Residence Permit for Germany (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) is a temporary residence permit tied to specific conditions, such as employment or studies Niederlassungserlaubnis A Niederlassungserlaubnis is a permanent settlement permit that grants unrestricted residence and work rights in Germany, with no expiry date. Travel on a Residence permit If you hold a South African passport along with a valid Schengen residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis or Niederlassungserlaubnis), you can travel freely within the Schengen Area for as long as your permit remains valid. However, be sure to check for any specific restrictions, such as whether your residence permit is limited to Germany. For official details, refer to Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2016/399 of the European Parliament, available on EUR-Lex. Travel with a Schengen Visa Single-entry visa A single-entry visa allows its holder to enter the Schengen Area only once, within the given period, as mentioned in the visa sticker affixed to their passport. Once the visa holder exits Schengen territory, he or she can no longer go back, even if they have not spent the number of days as permitted by the embassy that issued them the visa. Some people confuse the single-entry visa, thinking that it is about the number of countries the visa holder is permitted to visit and that it allows them to enter one single country. The territory you are permitted to visit is given close to the “Valid for” tag on your visa sticker, whereas the time you are allowed to stay is given close to the “Number of entries” tag. Multiple-entry visa A multiple-entry visa allows its holder to go in and out of the Schengen Area as many times as he or she wants, as long as they do not violate the 90/180 rule. Based on how frequently you travel to the Schengen zone, you may apply and obtain one of the following multiple-entry visa types: 1-year multiple-entry visa 3-year multiple-entry visa 5-year multiple-entry visa Source: SchengenVisaInfo Types of Schengen visas. Type “A” is for airport transit, “B” is for land Transit, “C” is for a short stay (> 90 days)  and “D” is for a long stay (<90 days) visa. A Visa with Limited Territorial Validity (LTV) is a special type of Schengen visa that only allows travel to specific Schengen countries, rather than the entire Schengen Area. Unlike a standard Schengen visa, which permits movement across all member states, an LTV visa restricts travel to only the country or countries explicitly mentioned on the visa sticker. How to check your visa: Gültig für/Valid for – Is it valid only for Germany (Limited Territory) or valid for the Schengen states Remarks –  for example the reason for your visit and any restrictions.  Number of entries – MULT (Multiple) double, or Single entry Good to know If your visa is only valid for Germany and single entry, you are not allowed to return to Germany once you leave on the same visa. If your visa is valid for the “Schengen-Staaten” and single entry, you are allowed to travel within the Schengen area, but once you leave the Schengen area you cannot return on the same visa If your visa is valid for the “Schengen-Staaten” and multiple entry you can leave and enter the Schengen area for as long as your visa is valid, keeping  the 90/180 rule in mind. Things to keep in mind When travelling within the Schengen Area, it’s essential to always carry your passport and visa/residence permit with you. While internal border checks are rare, authorities can still conduct random checks, and failure to provide valid identification could lead to fines, delays, or even being denied entry into another Schengen country. Some airlines, hotels, and law enforcement agencies may also require proof of your legal right to stay in Europe. Having both documents on hand ensures a smooth journey and avoids unnecessary complications.  European Union (EU): A political and economic union of some European countries that cooperate on trade, laws, and policies. Some EU countries (e.g., Ireland and Cyprus) are not in the Schengen area, meaning they still have border checks, while some non-EU countries are in Schengen. Schengen Area – This refers to the group of European countries that have abolished internal border controls, allowing free movement of people. It includes most EU countries plus a few non-EU members like Norway and Switzerland. Even if you have a permanent residence card for Germany, for countries outside the Schengen area, you will need to adhere to the rules applicable to your passport. See Where can I travel on my SA passport for some visa exemptions. Andorra, San Marino, Monaco, and the Vatican have opened their borders but are not members of the visa-free zone. The Azores, Madeira, and the Canary Islands are special members of the EU and part of the Schengen Zone, even though they are located outside the European continent. In many European countries, highways, expressways, bridges or tunnels may be subjected to Maut (Tollfees)  – see the ADAC site.  You can buy a Vignette before your trip, or when arriving at the toll gates.For Austria, you can buy a Vignette directly on the ASFINAG site if you

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Weather in Germany

German Climate Germany’s climate is temperate and marine, with cold, cloudy winters and warm summers and in the south occasional warm föhn wind. The greater part of Germany lies in the cool/temperate climatic zone in which humid westerly winds predominate. In the northwest and the north, the climate is oceanic and rain falls all year round. Winters here are relatively mild and summers comparatively cool.In the east, the climate shows clear continental features; winters can be very cold for long periods, and summers can become very warm. Dry periods are often recorded. In the centre and the south, there is a transitional climate that may be predominantly oceanic or continental, according to the general weather situation. Winters are cool and summers warm, though maximum temperatures can exceed 30 °C for several days in a row during heat waves. The warmest regions of Germany can be found in the southwest.Here summers can be hot with many days exceeding 30 °C. Weather atlas gives a good overview of the climate per month Another good source of information by Region/Town is the Climatemps website. Here is an example of the weather data they have for Stuttgart Current weather conditions BERLIN WEATHER STUTTGART WEATHER FELDBERG WEATHER Towns with the most sunshine Freiburg and Chemnitz are known as the towns with the most sunshine hours in Germany.Looking for other sunny cities in Germany? You can see a comparison here. When you don’t feel yourself during the darker months, you might suffer from Seasonal affective disorder Warmest cities in Germany Frankfurt is the warmest city in the summer.The city with the highest average temperature for 2019 was Köln-Stammheim. Offenbach am Main is also on the list.Rostock is the coldest on average. Most Rainfall per city Halle / Saale has the least rainfall. It also seldom rains in Erfurt, Berlin and Magdeburg – they still have little sunshine (3.8 to 4.4 hours/day).According to Bild, A lot of rain falls in Oldenburg (1072 milliliters), Remscheid (942), Essen (931), Solingen (896) and Wuppertal (866).This means that North Rhine-Westphalia is not only one of the regions with the poorest sunshine but also one of the rainiest regions. Where to find the most Snow The snowiest location in Germany is the Zugspitze, standing at an elevation of 3,000 meters. While snow is most common in mountainous regions, lower-lying areas also experience snowfall, though less frequently. The heaviest snowfall typically occurs in January and February. Types of weather conditions Precipitation refers to any form of atmospheric moisture that falls to the Earth’s surface. There are various types of precipitation that can occur depending on the temperature and atmospheric conditions in a particular region. The most common types of precipitation include rain, snow, sleet, and hail. To read more about the difference between Graupel, Freezing rain, Sleet and snow, have a look on this page from NJ.  der Regen Rain Rain occurs when liquid water droplets in the air combine and become heavy enough to fall to the ground der Hagel Hail Hail is formed when strong updrafts carry water droplets high into the atmosphere where they freeze and are repeatedly cycled through rising and falling air currents, forming layers of ice. der Dauerregen Constant or persistent rain The US National Weather Service has a good explanation of the different types of rainIn Central Europe one speaks of continuous rain when it continues with uninterrupted rainfall and a severity of more than 0.5 millimeters of precipitation per hour for a period of at least six hours. der Sprühregen or der Nieselregen Drizzle Fairly uniform precipitation composed exclusively of fine drops very close together. Drizzle appears to float while following air currents, but unlike fog droplets, it falls to the ground. Quite often fog and drizzle occur together. der Graupel / Graupel Also known as snow pellets.Graupel forms when snowflakes are coated with a layer of ice. Graupel is typically white and opaque. der Eisregen Freezing rain Raindrops becomes supercooled and freeze upon impact with any surface. This results in ice that can accumulate.Freezing rain occurs when the layer of freezing air is so thin that the raindrops do not have enough time to freeze before reaching the ground.  Instead, the water freezes on contact with the surface, creating a coating of ice on whatever the raindrops contact.  der Schneeregen Sleet Sleet is simply frozen raindrops and occurs when the layer of freezing air along the surface is thicker.  This causes the raindrops to freeze before reaching the ground.Sleet occurs mainly just before snowfall and looks like hoarfrost droplets. In contrast to snow, sleet grains are easily breakable. Often these break when they hit the ground. der Schnee Snow Snow occurs when the temperature is cold enough for water vapor to freeze into ice crystals in the air. Snow is solid precipitation that falls from the sky in the form of ice crystals. The ice crystals look like six-pointed stars, needles, columns or plates.  der Nebel Fog In the meteorological glossary fog is defined as ‘obscurity in the surface layers of the atmosphere, which is caused by a suspension of water droplets. By international agreement (particularly for aviation purposes) fog is the name given to resulting visibility less than 1 km. However, in forecasts for the public, this generally refers to visibility less than 180 m. Some also say that Fog is a cloud that reaches ground level (rolls in) Der Dunst Mist Mist is defined as ‘when there is such obscurity and the associated visibility is equal to or exceeds 1000 m.’ Like fog, mist is still the result of the suspension of water droplets, but simply at a lower density. Mist typically is quicker to dissipate and can rapidly disappear with even slight winds, it’s also what you see when you can see your breath on a cold day. Some also say that mist forms on the ground (rises) der Eisnebel Freezing fog The fog forms when the temps at the surface are below freezing.The accumulation will usually be horizontal due to the wind. This type of fog can occur when cold air

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