German Cycling Embassy
The German Cycling Embassy is a network of partners committed to promoting Germany as a cycling country. The Federal Ministry of Transport (BMV) is an important partner for promoting cycling throughout Germany and cooperates closely with the ZIV – German Bicycle Industry, the German Environment Agency (UBA), the German Institute of Urban Affairs (Difu) and the German National Cyclists’ Association (ADFC).
In recent years, a strong pro-cycling movement has begun to emerge in Germany, also inspired by international examples and European initiatives. One prominent expression of this is the recently adopted European Declaration on Cycling against which Germany will also measure its progress. Germany aims to be a cycling country by 2030. Countless projects and programmes across the country share the common goal of encouraging more and better cycling on safe, appealing infrastructure and boosting cycling as a means towards sustainable mobility and health promotion. Particularly successful government-funded schemes include a programme to fund cycling infrastructure (Stadt & Land), the setting-up of an information centre that advises municipalities on bicycle parking at railway stations (Infostelle Fahrradparken) and a programme fostering climate action through cycling-related initiatives (Klimaschutz durch Radverkehr).
Encouraging people to cycle more is crucial to the mobility transition, the creation of liveable cities and is a key element of climate protection. It is also for this reason that the commitment to more and safer cycling in Germany continues to grow every year – as the steady rise in the ADFC’s membership figures and the cycling referendums in many German cities clearly show. The founding of the youth organization “Junger ADFC” in April 2025 shows the commitment of young people for a sustainable cycling policy. The seven newly created cycling professorships funded by the BMV lay further foundations for the expansion of Germany’s cycling infrastructure. In addition to research into cycling-related issues, universities are training urgently needed specialists for transport and urban planning of tomorrow.
Germany is already a leader in other areas – it is the #1 destination for cycling holidays, for instance. Last year, more than 455 million day trips were completed during which almost €14 billion were spent. The German bicycle industry remains robust in challenging economic times with e-bikes continuously growing more popular among Germans: In 2024, more e-bikes than bicycles were sold for the second consecutive year – almost 2.1 million units in total. The successful company bike initiative promoting service bike leasing is just one strong driver of this trend. More than two million employees have already benefited from the leasing scheme since its introduction.
Booth: 68-69
