Germany takes cycling seriously enough that a drunk cycling offense can cost you your car driving license. Fines start at €15 for minor violations and reach €1,500 for drunk riding. Most cities also photograph cyclists running red lights.
Where You Must Ride
If a bike lane (Radweg) exists on the road you're using, you must use it. Riding on the road alongside a bike lane earns a €20 to €35 fine. Bike lanes come with blue round signs showing a white bicycle. If the sign has an additional plate saying "Radfahrer frei," pedestrians share it and you must slow down for them.
On roads without a bike lane, ride on the right side of the traffic lane, as close to the edge as practicable. Riding on the pavement (Gehweg) without a sign permitting it: €15 to €35 fine.
Red Lights
Running a red light: €60. If you endanger others while doing it: €180 plus one point in the Flensburg traffic register. Two points and your car license is at risk. Some cities (Berlin, Munich) have camera systems specifically for cyclists at major intersections.
Drunk Cycling
At 1.6 per mille blood alcohol (roughly four beers for an 80kg person), cycling becomes a criminal offense. The police can take your car driving license even if you were on a bicycle. At 1.6 per mille on a bicycle, courts regularly do this. Stay under 0.0 per mille on a bicycle if you also drive a car.
Lights at Night
Front white light and rear red light are mandatory after dark and in poor visibility. Both must be permanently fixed to the bike, not handheld. Fine for no lights: €20 to €25 per missing light. Dynamo lights count; battery-powered clip-on lights count if attached to the frame.
Helmets
No law requires a helmet for adults. Wearing one is common sense, not a legal requirement. Children under 12 on the back of a bike must wear a helmet.
Hand Signals
Signal left turns by extending your left arm horizontally. Signal right turns by extending your right arm or pointing left arm downward (both are accepted). German cyclists do this; it's expected in traffic and useful when cars are close.
Phone Use
Using a handheld phone while cycling: €55 fine, same as in a car. This is enforced actively in cities. Earphones in both ears while cycling: technically illegal if it prevents hearing traffic.
Bikes on Public Transport
Bikes are allowed on S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and regional trains but need a separate bike ticket (Fahrradticket), usually €3 to €6 per trip. Not allowed during rush hour on some lines. Check the local VVV (transport network) rules for your city. Bike is free on the Deutsche Bahn with a ticket if you have a foldable bike.
Buying a Bike
Check eBay Kleinanzeigen for used bikes (€50 to €250). Take a lock seriously: a Kryptonite New York Standard U-lock or an Abus Granit runs €40 to €80 and is the minimum for leaving a bike on a city street overnight.
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