Cycling streetGermany

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Germany. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


13. Cycling street

A cycling street is a street designed or legally designated to give cyclists a prominent position in mixed traffic. Motor vehicles may usually enter, but they must adapt their speed and driving behaviour to the presence of cyclists.

Depending on the country, cyclists may be permitted to use more of the carriageway and motor vehicles may be prohibited from overtaking them. The speed limit, priority rules, permitted vehicles and beginning and end of the street depend on local traffic signs and regulations.

Sign indicating a cyclist street, motorcycles and cars allowed. (Hannover, Germany)
Wikimedia.org • Michał Beim • CC BY-SA
How should I interpret a cycling-priority street in Germany?

A signed Fahrradstraße normally permits bicycles and the personal light-electric vehicles covered by the Regulations. Other vehicle traffic needs a supplementary permission, but may cross at a junction to reach a continuing road. A Fahrradzone applies related rules over a signed area.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§5(4),8–9; Annex 2, signs 244.1–244.4

Which driving rules matter on a mixed cycling street in Germany?

The limit is 30 km/h. Permitted motor traffic must not endanger or obstruct cyclists and must slow further if necessary. Cyclists may ride side by side; overtaking remains subject to safe-clearance rules.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§5(4),8–9; Annex 2, signs 244.1–244.4

Which priority rules apply on cycling streets in Germany?

The bicycle-street rules expressly retain the remaining road rules. There is no automatic priority at every junction from the designation alone. Obey priority signs and signals rather than assuming the cycling route takes precedence.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §§5(4),8–9; Annex 2, signs 244.1–244.4

Lane for cyclists. Lane for cyclists.

English • Traffic sign 244.1 • Beginning of a cycle street.

Deutsch • Verkehrszeichen 244.1 • Beginn einer Fahrradstraße.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de • VzKat, Anhang (Gesamtübersicht)

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Nach den amtlichen Vorgaben digital umgesetzt durch: Mediatus • Public domain • Source revision 2017-08-22. Wikimedia original unmodified.

End of the lane for cyclists. End of the lane for cyclists.

English • Traffic sign 244.2 • End of a cycle street.

Deutsch • Verkehrszeichen 244.2 • Ende einer Fahrradstraße.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de • VzKat, Anhang (Gesamtübersicht)

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
see disciption • Public domain • Source revision 2017-03-06. Wikimedia original unmodified.

1 Germany 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Pedestrian warning 11 Tunnel 12 Bridge 13 Cycling street 14 Pedestrian zone 15 Toll road 16 Customs 17 One-way traffic 18 Quay 19 Slope 20 Bus lane 21 Bus stop 22 Dead end 23 Stop sign 24 Give way 25 Roundabout 26 Priority road 27 Road narrowing 28 Priority over oncoming traffic 29 Give way to oncoming traffic 30 Pedestrian crossing 31 Railway crossing 32 Mandatory direction 33 School area 34 Overtaking 35 Crossing animals 36 Slippery road 37 Rockfall 38 Aircraft 39 Curve 40 Chevron 41 Wrong-way driving 42 Roadworks 43 Crosswind 44 Height limit 45 Width limit 46 Length limit 47 Weight limit 48 Radar speed sign 49 Selective barriers 50 Low-emission zone 51 Intersection direction sign 52 Priority at the next junction 53 Traffic lights 54 Traffic lights warning 55 Pedestrian lights 56 Road markings 57 Junction layout 58 Bike box 59 Speed feedback 60 Driving licence 61 Location marker 62 Countdown markers 63 Traffic mirror 64 Emergency telephone 65 International border 66 Pedestrian underpass 67 Cycling route 68 End of restriction 69 Parking 70 No parking 71 No stopping 72 Parallel parking 73 Park and ride 74 Kiss and ride 75 Parking meter 76 Parking disc 77 Disabled parking 78 Traffic management 79 Reversing 80 Traffic jam 81 Detour 82 Uncontrolled crossroad 83 Road surface 84 Exit 85 Horse riding 86 Provisional licence 87 Hazardous cargo 88 Emergency exit 89 Runaway truck ramp 90 Oversize load 91 Cycle highway 92 Carsharing 93 City limit 94 Gantry 95 Distance board 96 Breakdown bay 97 Hiking 98 Pavement parking 99 Road church 100 Tourist attraction ...