As the online magazine Deutschland.de writes, the city has 300,000 residents and twice as many bicycles. Markus Lewe has four bikes – a sports bike, a folding bike, a Dutch bike, and a touring bike. Accordingly, he makes it to all his work meetings on time. Because it's more convenient.
The university city of Münster (Westphalia) is not very large, located on a plain, and in terms of bicycle infrastructure surpasses any other German city. A car-free ring for cyclists has been built around the city center; they also have the right to freely enter the center. It's faster than by car. And the bike parking at the main train station, the largest in Germany, offers 3,500 secure parking spaces, including a repair shop, bike rental, and even a special bike wash.
"Today in Münster, 39% of all roads are used by cyclists," Lewe says proudly, "and only 33% by motorists."
Riding a bike is considered trendy – especially in large German cities
Münster sets the trend in a fashion that has now spread across Germany. People are switching from cars to bicycles. It is not only healthier, more environmentally friendly, and cheaper, but also often faster. After all, especially in cities, getting from point A to point B by bike is faster. According to the latest bicycle monitoring by the Federal Government (2013), already 35% of respondents ride a bike to work or school, and even more people use a bike for shopping or errands.
The larger the city area, the lower the intensity of car use. This is especially noticeable in Berlin. There, people are actively giving up cars in favor of public transport and bicycles. Even members of the Bundestag like Hans-Christian Ströbele make the trip from their apartment to the neighboring government district by bike. In Frankfurt, you can see bankers and consultants pedaling along the Main embankment on their way to the city center. And in Cologne, even Archbishop Rainer Maria 'Wölki' was spotted on a bike – though he was on his own business and without his cassock.
The example of Münster is infectious for other countries. Representatives of the administrations of London and New York have already visited Westphalia and are actively adopting the experience of a 'bicycle city.' Traffic gridlock threatens not only large cities. But the Frenchman Christian Prudhomme came to Münster for a different reason. The director of the Tour de France race is considering making Münster one of the stages or even starting this world-famous race here.
The bicycle is not only a modern and timely alternative to mobility in cities, but also an expression of a new lifestyle and new status thinking. Increasingly, you can see bikes near houses, not on parking lots, but simply as a kind of decorative accessory. Students prefer 'fixies,' i.e., a simplified version with a single gear, while managers like to treat themselves to a stylish bamboo bike.
Bicycle ownership often says more about its owner than their place of work or study. The lion's share of sales in Germany still goes to city, mountain, and trekking bikes. And yet there are countless ways to express one's individuality. The German market has everything your heart desires – from used bikes for 20 euros or discounted options to handcrafted high-tech bikes with smartphone control.
The segment of e-bikes is developing especially quickly. Back in 2009, a bike with a small electric motor that assists the cyclist accounted for no more than 4% of the bicycle market in Germany, and by 2014 every tenth bike was equipped with an electric motor. Moreover, according to a survey, 27% of those buying a bike for the first time opted for an e-bike. After all, it has long shed its image as a 'bike for pensioners' and become a favorite mode of transport for the creative class. It is also used by photojournalists and couriers to get around the city faster.
The bike boom has also spurred new infrastructure. So-called Repair Cafes are gaining popularity – a mix of self-service workshops and bistros. Dropping in there, you can fix all sorts of things that have been saved from being thrown away. Making a valuable bike from various used parts is an art in itself. The idea itself originated in the Netherlands and found many followers in Germany. In 2014, there were already over a hundred Repair Cafes in the country.