(Photo credit Jorge Royan)
Known as the 'Radlhauptstadt' (the bicycle capital) of Germany, one doesn't have too long in Munich to figure out why. A staggering estimated 80% of the population owns a bicycle, and an estimated 17% of all traffic in the city is on two wheels, and the city has invested heavily in the last 25 years in new bike routes to expand the existing network. If you are not used to an abundance of bicycles where you come from, be prepared!
So comprehensive is the bike network that its 1200 kilomtres is the equivalent of 50% of the Munich road network, and there are some 212 one-way streets open to two-way bicycle traffic. There are also dedicated 'Fahrradstrassen' (bicycle streets), where cars are restricted to 30 km/h and cyclists can use the entire road. Many cycle paths are on pedestrian paths, but there are many more which are not.
For a map of the Munich bicycle network, click here.
If you would like to join the green revolution and rent a bike while in Munich, here are a list of options.
Munich also has a very developed concept of 'bike and ride' - full information here.
If you would like to take your bike on public transport, this is generally possible, but don't forget to buy a ticket for the bike! Bikes are not, however, permitted during the weekday rush-hour, so avoid Monday to Friday from 06:00 - 09:00 and 16:00 - 18:00. A bicycle day ticket costs 2.50 euro. More information here.
HOWEVER... During school holidays (click here for the holiday periods), If you have the Isarkarte for public transport you can travel before 9am on work days without paying extra and during these periods it is also possible to take bicycles on public transport in the afternoons of work days. Since this is quite a lot of the year it is something to bear in mind.
Finally there is a cool service offered called Call a Bike, whereby you can rent a bicycle and drop it off in a different location, simply by locking it when you are finished. This is a very flexible and convenient way of getting round the city. More information here.
Learn more about the initiatives to turn Munich into a biking city in the video below:
