Campaigning for Cycling - Munich Beats Hamburg

Radlhauptstadt cycle check at Residenzstraße

"Radlhauptstadt" - capital of cycling, the title of Munich´s campaign to push cycle traffic in the Bavarian metropolis. With the campaign Munich challenges Hamburg in the ranking of best German cycle city among the cities with more than a million inhabitants. Hamburg promised to make it´s own campaign in the bicycle strategy for Hamburg (Radverkehrsstrategie für Hamburg) signed up in 2007. But half a year before being European Green Capital the promised campaign as a part of public relation for a better cycle climate is still missing.

Radlhauptstadt cycle check at Residenzstraße

 Free safety checks for bicycles are part of the Bavarian Radlhauptstadt campaign offered at hot spots of cycle traffic. The safety joker sticks out dressed in a blue suit and with his blue cargo bike. He tries to give attention for traffic safety and cycling. This week cycles could be checked at Odeonsplatz at Residenzstraße, Munich´s main cycle street with 15.000 cyclists per day, more cyclists than at any street in Hamburg.

Radlhauptstadt cycle check at Residenzstraße

Radlhauptstadt cycle check at Residenzstraße

Safety Joker near city hall

Safety Joker among cycle traffic near city hall

With the portion of cyclists of 14% at the time Munich tops Hamburg, where only 12.5 % take a cycle. Munich is ahead not only in promotion and number of cyclists. New cycle tracks are much wider and more comfortable than those in Hamburg.
     

Munich cycle chic at Dallmayr

Munich cycle chic

Munich cycle chic

Munich cycle chic

Bicycle parking in pedestrian zone

Cycling in pedestrian zone

15.000 cyclists per day in Residenzstraße

Cyclists in Residenzstraße

Wide and comfortable cycle lane in Seidlstraße

Cycle lane in Seidlstraße replaced a car lane

Wide and comfortable new cycle track in Marsstraße

Marsstraße with former cycle track some years ago

Postcard of the Radlhauptstadt campaign