Wiesbaden Pedals Forward: City Invests in Cycling Infrastructure, Aims for Bike-Kind future
By Diana Unkart | Archyde.com | Published: May 2, 2025, 6:12 PM
WIESBADEN – new initiatives are underway in Wiesbaden to encourage residents to embrace cycling as a primary mode of transportation. From the development of new bike paths to financial grants aimed at easing the purchase of bicycles, the city is actively working to create a more bike-friendly surroundings. Starting May 12th, Wiesbaden will host its first-ever cycling action week, featuring events adn resources tailored for both novice and experienced cyclists.
Overcoming Topographical Challenges to Promote Cycling
transforming Wiesbaden into a truly bicycle-friendly city presents unique challenges. Its hilly terrain requires significant effort from cyclists, and the city’s past ranking as Germany’s most unfriendly city for cyclists, according to the ADFC bicycle climate test, underscores the need for substantial improvements. Since 2017, the city has been actively expanding its cycling infrastructure and will launch a dedicated theme week for cycling on May 12th.
Pro Tip: consider an e-bike to tackle Wiesbaden’s hills! The electric assist makes cycling much easier on the steeper inclines.
The city’s investment includes constructing dedicated cycle paths to close gaps in the existing network, offering financial support for cargo bike purchases, and establishing a bicycle office in 2018. Bicycle boxes and secure parking facilities are now available throughout the city. These efforts are yielding positive results, as evidenced by the growth in bicycle traffic.
Cycling on the Rise: New Data Shows Increased Usage
Recent data indicates a positive trend: the share of cycling has increased by 1.9 percentage points since 2018. Notably, residents are increasingly using bicycles for medium to longer distances, particularly journeys exceeding five kilometers. This increase is likely attributable to the growing popularity of e-bikes, which now account for nearly one in five bicycles in Wiesbaden.
Cycling is becoming increasingly vital for commuting to work. In 2013, seven percent of commutes were made by bicycle; by 2018, this figure had risen to ten percent. today, bicycles account for 13 percent of commutes in Wiesbaden.
ADFC Praises Progress,Calls for Further Improvements
The local chapter of the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC),a leading advocate for cyclists,has welcomed these developments. “If the framework conditions were right, the people liked to use the bike,” the association stated in a press release. The ADFC highlighted the counting point on Bertramstraße, where the 100,000th bicycle ride was recorded at the end of April, calling it “a surprising result.”
despite the progress, the ADFC emphasizes the need for further improvements. The organization believes that cyclists on bicycle roads should have the right-of-way at intersections.
Concerns Remain About Children Cycling to School
The ADFC also urges stricter enforcement of regulations against illegal parking and stopping in the second row, along with the expansion of safe bicycle paths. These measures could encourage more parents to allow their children to cycle to school independently. Current data reveals that only nine percent of daycare and school children cycle to school, while 34 percent are driven by parents.
To address this, the ADFC proposes a network of safe side streets, separate from car traffic, that are designated as bicycle roads. The association envisions Wiesbaden as a “dial,” with bicycle-friendly connections radiating from the city center, supplemented by cross-connections. This concept, known as “Radsterns,” is represented by a logo developed by the ADFC.
“Bicycle” Campaign Week: Opportunities for Participation and Facts
The ADFC is actively involved in the city’s “Bicycle” campaign week, which runs from Monday, May 12th, to Friday, May 16th. The week concludes with a “Critical Mass” cycling event at 6:30 p.m.
The program offers something for everyone, from beginners to experienced cyclists. Activities include bicycle encoding by the police, an information marketplace for local cycling organizations, workshops, a cycling forum, a theme evening on bicycle-friendly cities, exhibitions, and e-bike safety training.
Participants can also equip their bikes with mobile sensors to collect cycling data.The “smart city” department hopes that this data will inform strategies to further improve Wiesbaden’s cycling infrastructure.More information and registration details can be found at https://smart-city-find-stadt.de/.
Did you know? Participating in the cycling campaign week can earn you rewards through various local initiatives!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is the Wiesbaden “Bicycle” campaign week?
The campaign week is from Monday, May 12th to Friday, May 16th.
What are some of the activities offered during the campaign week?
Activities include bicycle encoding, workshops, a cycling forum, e-bike safety training, and data collection opportunities.
Where can I find more information about the campaign week?
You can find more information and register at https://smart-city-find-stadt.de/.
