I never imagined that cycling in Frankfurt will be so popular. I have witnessed chaotic and unfriendly roads all my life in India and cycling in Frankfurt is a whole new universe. Dedicated cycle lanes, public bike share system, electric scooters and even bike vandalism – these are some of my observations captured in this blog.
First impressions:
The moment I reached the Frankfurt central station, I noticed all kinds of cyclist either entering or leaving the train station. Intercity long-distance trains arrive and depart from the Frankfurt central station which brings a variety of traveler’s to the city, including cyclist. The German government supports intermodal travel and cyclists are welcome to combine their journeys with a train.
The trains have bicycle parking space with a marking outside the door and I took a picture immediately to share it with my Indian friends. In India, one has to follow a procedure to carry their bicycle in a long-distance train that too in freight wagons; unlike in Germany where its free to carry a bicycle in a train along with you.
Rental bikes:
On stepping outside the station, I put my camera on and started capturing the app based rental bikes and scooters available for pickup. ‘DB Call a bike’ and ‘Nextbike’ are the two leasing companies operating in that area. And there are more operators in Germany like LimeBike, Donkey Republic, StadtRAD etc. In India, we have ‘MYBYK’ and ‘Smartbike’ as two major rental companies functioning in a few cities with limited fleet and leasing stations.
Don’t want to pedal? You can rent electric scooters too in Frankfurt. VOI, Lime, Tier and Bolt scooters were commonly seen in the city. But in India, such kind of scooters are sold for personal and recreational consumption and are not part of shared mobility yet.
Big mistake:
Since, these mobility services are app based it will ask for your mobile number and address once you download the app. Without realizing this fact, a day before, I opted for internet only mobile plan and ended up failing to avail any of these services. I learnt with this mistake and I am sharing this with you so that you know what you have to do whenever you are traveling to Europe.
Cycle paths and riding discipline:
Cycling community in India is small and still growing and when it comes to commute trips, we have a long way to go. Frankfurt on the other hand has active cyclists commuting daily on a bike. Cycle paths are marked, smooth, wide and separated from traffic. Cyclists obey the traffic lights, use hand signals, and respect pedestrian crossings. Back in India, mostly poor people commute on a bicycle and the roads are shared, with lack of discipline amongst drivers, and there is always a fear of safety.
Sustainable transport:
Germany has a robust National cycling plan which focuses on the growth of cycling related infrastructure. The plan aims to make Germany a cycling commuter country, improve cycle logistics with a vision zero emissions as some of the major objectives. Roughly, 11% of all trips in Germany are taken on a bicycle and the country is forward looking to raise the consumption and come at par with its neighbours Denmark (18%) and Netherlands (27%).
Speaking about India, currently, we don’t have a national cycling policy. However, under Smart Cities Mission driven by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) pilot projects have been conducted to increase cycling in a few cities but without significant impact.
Bike theft and vandalism:
With an increasing bike boom in Germany, bicycles are gaining popularity not only amongst individuals but also thieves. Bicycles are among the most frequently stolen items in Germany-a news article stated.
As per German insurance association, around 1,55,000 insured bicycles were stolen in Germany in 2019. This number maybe higher since thefts of uninsured and older bikes often go unreported. With crime rate increasing in Frankfurt, bicycle thefts are common and people are advised to lock their bikes at all times. Despite smart technology and locking systems, criminals have also found smarter ways of stealing bikes.
I was amazed on seeing so many bicycles vandalized in Frankfurt. It can be directly connected with the unlawful elements functioning in the city. These are few images which I captured while walking on the streets of Frankfurt.
When compared to India, bicycle thefts do occur and, in many cases, premium and expensive bicycle owners are targeted. These bicycles are difficult to track due to lack of insurance and serial number registration. In some instances, even the local police avoid to register cases when the bicycle is of low value and they know recovery will be difficult.
Self-guided tour in Frankfurt:
Let’s come to some fun part of cycling in Frankfurt. I rented a bicycle from Frankfurt bike tour company and went for a self-guided tour to Manuferpark. The rental cost for one day is 19 euros and you can also prebook it online on their website. They even have ebike but the rentals are higher.
And now, talking about riding in this enchanting Manuferpark in Frankfurt! This hidden gem is a cyclist’s paradise, offering a perfect blend of nature and urban adventure.
I cruised along the winding paths lined with lush greenery, the gentle breeze caressing my face. I could feel the rhythm of my pedals as I explored the park’s diverse beauty. Manuferpark is ideal for leisurely rides and caters to cyclists of all levels.
I wish we have such urban spaces in India. Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad city is somewhat close to this but not as expansive and green as this one. In India, we have a predictable weather which is not the case in Frankfurt. It rained when I walked to the bike rental office and the skies cleared out when I started to ride.
I made a video about this ride and you can watch it here:
Guided tour-Frankfurt city highlights:
I met Jurgen Yong, a friendly local walking and cycling tour guide in Frankfurt and booked a guided tour with him (jyong@t-online.de).
While you can certainly explore Frankfurt independently, a guided tour offers several advantages. A knowledgeable local guide can share fascinating insights into the city’s history, culture, and architecture. They can also recommend hidden spots and ensure you make the most of your time.
Jurgen took me around and we covered major tourist spots riding for about 15kms together. Thereafter, on a special request, Jurgen took me to a few bicycle shops since I had to purchase a few merchandises for my friends in India.
As an Indian cycling first time in Frankfurt was truly a fascinating experience. It is a city that has embraced cycling as a sustainable mode of transport, and even promoting cycle tourism. While India is far behind in nurturing the street cyclists in urban context, the progress in promoting cycling is highly disappointing.
I hope you enjoy this video of the guided tour which is split into 2 parts:
You might also like to read: WHAT I SAW AND RODE AT THE EURO BIKE SHOW 2024
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Author: Vijay Malhotra, Mumbai
Much of the problems listed here that cyclists face in India can be addressed only if society and system shed their disdain for cycling as some ‘povertarian’ means of getting around and realise the climate isn’t so hostile if you’re not riding out for very long.
The quality of bicycles also makes a difference – riding that Trek or Triban is much less of a workout than riding those heavy Roadsters or funny MTBs. Besides, of course, adding more internal roads.