Berlin has seen an unprecedented bike boom during the Covid-19 period. Since 2019, the number of bicycles in the streets has increased by an impressive 32%, resulting in what Germans call a “bike explosion.” In fact, the lockdown is driving more and more people to start riding bicycles. Due to the restrictions in place, exercising has been the only real excuse to leave the house. It has never been so essential to go out and appreciate the environment we live in. So how about taking a bike tour to get a taste of that lost freedom?
We are still in lockdown… are you struggling to know what to do with your time?
Stop waiting around! The biking season is one of the only things which is open as usual!
Booking Bike Tours in Berlin
First of all, if you are new to Berlin and are not yet familiar with all the hotspots, you can book a huge range of bike tours (yes, even during the current lockdown). Berlin offers many ways to explore and discover the city, all whilst keeping fit at the same time. In this article, we’ve listed the best bike tours for cycling and exploring in Berlin, so that you can join the bike boom too!
Berlin’s Best Tour
- Price: 29€
- Departure & return point: Kulturbrauerei
- Length: 3.5 hours
- Highlights of the tour: Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate, Hotel Adlon, Reichstag, Federal Chancellery…
Berlin Wall Tour
- Price: 29€
- Departure & return point: Kulturbrauerei
- Length: 3.5 hours
- Highlights of the tour: Bornholmer Straße, Checkpoint Charlie, Mauerpark, Berlin Wall Memorial, Government Quarter…
Alternative Berlin Tour
- Price: 29€
- Departure & return point: Kulturbrauerei
- Length: 3.5 hours
- Highlights of the tour: Kulturbrauerei, Oberbaum Bridge, Schlesisches Tor, Oranienstraße, Landwehr Canal…
*given prices are for adults, prices for children vary and a student discount is available.
Please note that each bike and helmet is disinfected after use. The tour also observes social distancing and hygiene regulations so that you don’t need to wear a mask. For parents, children’s bicycle seats or trailers can be booked on request.
Tips: Book your tour online and think about checking the weather before (rain coats can be borrowed).
If walking isn’t for you and you’d rather discover Berlin at a faster pace, this is the best way to do it!
If you’re interested in taking part in such bike tours in Berlin, you might also like to learn some of the German language whilst you’re here. In this case, we can support you with our German Courses in Berlin!
History of Bikes in Berlin
Berlin is one of the most “bike friendly” cities in the world. Bikes actually represent around 13% of the Berlin traffic – a city with more than 710 cycles per 1000 inhabitants. The cycling tradition is so strong in Berlin, that every inhabitant must pass the bicycle safety course at school. This all began after the reunification, when the government decided to invest more than 5€ million into cycling infrastructures each year. Today, we still profit from these investments which have brought extreme benefits, and of course the bike boom, along with them.
More Bike Riding Space for Berlin
In many famous places in Berlin such as Frankfurter Allee, Friedrichstraße and Mauerpark, the first thing you’ll notice is that they are surrounded by bikes. According to the Green Party (a large Political Party in Germany), the surge in bikes means the streets of Berlin need to be adapted. They have set out to build around 3000km of cycle paths and other adapted infrastructures to facilitate bike riding in Berlin. Those changes will add to the existing 62,393 km of biking space in Berlin.
The Benefits of Bicycling
As mentioned previously, bike rides have enabled people to free their minds during lockdown and generally during the Covid-19 pandemic. Furthermore, riding a bike also provides huge health benefits.
The list of advantages of riding a bike is long, but here a few of the main ones:
- increased cardiovascular fitness
- increased muscle strength and flexibility
- improved joint mobility
- decreased stress levels
- improved posture and coordination
- decreased body fat levels
Still hesitating? Why not try it out in Berlin and let the amazing scenes and the flat roads be the deciding factor?!