As the temperatures continue to rise and being jostled by fellow passengers on a crowded tram as part of the morning commute becomes unbearable, the solution seems obvious. Hop on the bike (well, buy a bike first), feel the sweet release of a light breeze, and reduce your carbon footprint.
You won’t be the only one opting for the two-wheeler! In 2018, 9.3 percent of the German population opted to cycle daily, while 18.2 percent did so several days a week. However, before you take to the city streets and go biking in Düsseldorf, there are some important rules to bear in mind.
Here are 8 things you need to know before biking in Düsseldorf:
Make sure your bike is properly equipped
First things first – the humble bicycle itself. The bicycle must be fitted with lights, brakes, and a bell. For cyclists, there is no official legislation that enforces the wearing of helmets. A lock helps too as theft in Düsseldorf can be quite common. If your bike does get stolen, there is a process you can take.
Do you have insurance yet? It’s important to make sure you have some sort of bike insurance, so if you’re bike gets stollen (which they so often do) you can make a claim with your insurance provider. Feather and GetSafe Insurance are two big favourites.
Understand the legal traffic laws
In Germany, bicycles are regarded as part of the legal traffic system. That means, unless there is a designated bicycle path, you must cycle on the street alongside traffic and in the same direction as the direction. Exception: Unless you are under 10 years old, in which case you rule the sidewalk. You must also cycle in a single file so as tempting as it is, avoid those mid-cycle chats with fellow cyclist pals. Hand signals are necessary for all turns- in Germany, this means extending the right arm to indicate turning right and doing the same with the left when turning to the left.
IMPORTANT: Do you have liability insurance yet? Accidents happen and people can be fast to act on charging you for damages in the case that something happens (biking into their car, hitting the side of a stroller, etc.)
If you are planning on cycling in Düsseldorf, you should definitely have private liability insurance. It’s quite cheap in Germany (about 25-50 Euros/year). I would recommend comparing all insurance companies and prices on TARIFCHECK before booking a package though!
Learn how to cross the road
When crossing the road, take note of whether there is only one painted crossing. If so, and if there is not a separate crossway for bicycles, this is a pedestrian crossing. Therefore you will have to dismount and walk your bicycle across. Cars are therefore legally required to halt to let you pass. This doesn’t apply if you cycle across because, as mentioned above, you are no longer a pedestrian.
Get to know which traffic lights mean what
Keep your eyes peeled! Sometimes there are dedicated traffic lights for city cyclists and when on board the bike, you must comply with what is being displayed there.
Understand there are fines
There are a number of actions that are against the law while onboard a bicycle. For example, despite being an enviable skill as a child, riding without hands-on handlebars is against the law. Carrying items such as umbrellas that are hazardous in traffic is also against the law. Abandon WhatsApp, as being caught on your phone will also result in a hefty fine. Cycling while intoxicated is of course illegal. For more information on the exact fines for each of these traffic regulations, please click here.
Don’t forget to lock your bike!
When you’ve safely arrived at your final destination and before you part from your beloved bicycle and begin/end your day, lock your bicycle properly. This is to ensure that it does not fall over and impede traffic and/or damage property. Of course, this is also to ensure that your bike will not be stolen, as this does tend to happen in larger cities like Düsseldorf.
Can you take your bike with you on public transportation?
If you and your bike want to take an adventure a tad further afield, there are also some rules on bringing bicycles on public transportation. Particularly during rush hours, they may not be permitted onboard. There may also be an additional fee, so make sure you check with the transit authorities before hopping on board.
Get to know the local Düsseldorf cycling campaign: RADschlag: Düsseldorf trifft an”
In 2017, only 14% of traffic in Düsseldorf came from those on bicycles and so a campaign entitled “RADschlag: Düsseldorf trifft an” was launched by the Office for Traffic Management for the Federal State Capital Düsseldorf. This campaign was to increase this number substantially. This campaign includes a dedicated app with information on cycling routes and other important information on pedaling around this corner of the world. As the city of Düsseldorf welcomes cyclists with open arms, it is definitely time to grab the bull by the horns – and grab the bike by the handlebars!- and discover a new mode of transport this summer.
Biking in Düsseldorf doesn’t happen until you have a bike! If you need help buying a bicycle, we also have a list of the best places in Düsseldorf to buy secondhand bikes.
