CITY CYCLING - Blog

The cycling season may already be over, but weatherproof cyclists are still out and about on the streets of Chemnitz, getting through their everyday lives by bike. With its Xmas Challenge, Heavy24 is incentivising people to cover distances by bike. The cycle routes can be travelled both outdoors and indoors.

From 24 to 31 December 2024, you can use your sporting activity for a good cause in three categories. You can prove yourself in the following categories

• Collect altitude metres (bike): 1,000 vertical metres, 2,500 vertical metres or 5,000 vertical metres
• Collect kilometres (bike): 100 kilometres
• Run kilometres: 20 kilometres, 40 kilometres or 60 kilometres

You will receive an exclusive collector's patch for each successfully completed category.

Registration and tracking of kilometres

A participation fee of €12.12 must be paid when registering. All entry fees will be donated to charity. Registration is possible online.

After registration, the activities will be tracked via STRAVA with the hashtag #xmaschallenge. The recorded data can then be sent to the Heavy24 team using a form.

Honouring the commitment to cycling

"Democracy is more than just a political system - democracy lives in the hearts and minds of citizens. Democracy means the right to co-determination, justice and the pursuit of a future worth living for all. Especially for children and young people, early promotion of democratic education is of crucial importance," Hannah Zanolli began her laudatory speech at the award ceremony for the Citizens' Prize of the Chemnitz Community Foundation. The organisers of the Kidical Mass were honoured with the 1st prize for their commitment.

Since 2022, the campaign has also been campaigning for a safe street space for children and young people in Chemnitz. Kidical Mass aims to promote independent and safe cycling mobility for young people in Chemnitz and draw attention to their concerns. We would like to congratulate the volunteer organisers from ADFC Chemnitz e. V., B.U.M. Fahrradkonzerte, BUND Chemnitz and Radio T e. V. on receiving this award!

On Sunday, 22 September 2024, this year's CITY CYCLING campaign in Chemnitz came to an end in perfect weather. With the rally, almost 100 participants once again set an example for cycling and pedalled together for the last time this year. With 3,095 active cyclists and 3,581 registered cyclists, more Chemnitz residents were committed to their own health, cycling and climate protection than last year. With 548,748 kilometres cycled, the result is almost 90,000 kilometres behind last year's result, but we are proud of this result, which was achieved in a significantly worse weather situation compared to our record year 2023.

Kilometres can still be added until 29 September 2024

The kilometres cycled in the last week of CITY CYCLING that have not yet been tracked via the CITY CYCLING app or entered in the mileage book can still be added until 29 September 2024. This is possible by making an entry in the kilometre book via app or browser.

The official results will be published and the winners contacted after the end of the late entry period. The current interim results in the various categories can be found in the following list.

The weather is better and we can also see this on our kilometre counter, which all Chemnitz residents have been turning vigorously. Almost 440,000 kilometres have been cycled, saving around 73 tonnes of_CO2 compared to using a car. We can still cycle until 22 September before CITY CYCLING 2024 puts the bike in the bike cellar for this year. There are also opportunities to cycle together again this weekend.

20 September 2024: Everything is rolling! - We own the road

From 11 a.m. to 8.30 p.m., part of Brückenstraße, in front of the Karl Marx Monument, will be closed on one side and will become a street space of mindfulness for all Chemnitz residents. The aim is to show what is possible with an environmentally friendly and shared use of street space. The campaign thus fits in perfectly with the motto of this year's European Mobility Week (EMW): "Shared Public Space - using street spaces together". Feel free to drop by on your bike, there will be various attractions on offer.

In addition, all EMW participants can take part in the "Show us your Mobility Week" photo competition. Any photo from an EMW event can be submitted. The photo and the completed entry form can be sent to the City of Chemnitz, EU Office, Markt 1, 09111 Chemnitz by 24 September either by email or post (the entry form can be downloaded from the EMW website ).

21 September 2024: 4 Rivers Tour

8 a.m. Cycling enthusiasts can meet up for the ADFC Chemnitz 4 Rivers Tour in Gablenzpark. The 130-kilometre tour leads through the Zschopau and Preißnitz valleys, among other places. Participation in the tour costs €3.

22 September 2024: Three rides, one destination: Chemnitz rally ride

We want to cycle with you one last time on Sunday: We want to say a fitting farewell to CITY CYCLING and the European Mobility Week with the Chemnitz rally. Three tours will be offered, all of which are easy to cycle. They end at around 15:00 on the market square. The three different tours start at the following times.

1. Start north tour: 13:00 at the table tennis table in Nordpark
2. Start west tour: 12:30 pm in Frei-Otto-Park
3. Start south tour: 13:00 at the moated castle Klaffenbach

All tours are suitable for children with cycling experience. The north tour is recommended for children and families. Depending on the number of participants, the tour is organised in a closed group. Wearing a helmet is recommended. The rally is organised by VCD Chemnitz, smac, the Museum of Saxon Vehicles Chemnitz, LaufKul-Tour e. V. in cooperation with the coordinators of STADTRADELN and EMW.

By the end of September, the Knappteich will be equipped with new bike racks by the transport and civil engineering department. The Knappteich is located on the "Numico" model cycle route, which was developed and established as part of the "New Urban Mobility Awareness in Chemnitz" (NUMIC) 2021 project. The route connects large-scale residential neighbourhoods in the east of Chemnitz over a length of five kilometres.

To improve cycle parking facilities in the city, more bike racks are to be installed in public spaces. In future, bike racks with a crossbar are to be used as the "Chemnitz standard", which will also make it easier to park smaller (children's) bikes. The tender for this new type of bracket is currently being organised by the building yard so that the new brackets can be used for new bicycle parking locations very soon. A total of 25,000 euros will be invested in the procurement.

With the start of the European Mobility Week (EMW), interesting events on the topic of mobility await you, to which we cordially invite you. Selected highlights are presented below.

17 September 2024: How do you/your child get to school? - Oxford debate at wetecho

Cars pile up outside the school every morning? Usually cycle to school, but sometimes take the parent taxi? Raising awareness of the issue of mobility starts at an early age. On the topic of "How do you/your child get to school?", a debate on sustainable mobility will take place on Tuesday, 17 September 2024 at 17:00 in the weltechos studio.

The debate will focus on the necessity of parent taxis. Two groups will discuss the topic in a modified Oxford debate. Admission is free. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity to discuss the topic further over free catering.

19 September 2024: Chemnitz changes lanes: Mobility for ALL - Infotalk at Chemnitz Open Space

What did mobility in Chemnitz look like in the past? How should the mobility of the future be designed? What impact will it have on our city and its inhabitants? We want to address these and other questions with you on 19 September 2024 at 5:15 pm in the Chemnitz Open Space. In a World Café format, you can engage in dialogue with experts at the Environment, Mobility History and Traffic Psychology tables. Afterwards, there will be enough time to discuss the topic of mobility in Chemnitz over a light snack. Admission is free.

22 September 2024: Three rides, one destination: Chemnitz rally

EMW meets CITY CYCLING: At the end of both campaigns, we want to get on our bikes with you one last time! Three tours through Chemnitz will arrive together at the market at around 15:00. Come along and cycle the last few kilometres with us.

1. Start north tour: 13:00 at the table tennis table in Nordpark
2. Start west tour: 12:30 pm in Frei-Otto-Park
3. Start south tour: 13:00 at the moated castle Klaffenbach

All tours are suitable for children with cycling experience. The north tour is recommended for children and families. Depending on the number of participants, the tour is organised in a closed group. Wearing a helmet is recommended. The rally is organised by VCD Chemnitz, smac, the Museum of Saxon Vehicles Chemnitz, LaufKul-Tour e. V. in cooperation with the coordinators of STADTRADELN and EMW.

It remains rainy, but the kilometres continue to increase: 288,273 kilometres cycled avoid 48 tonnes of CO2 compared to using a car. On Sunday, 15 September 2024, the focus will be on cycling.

SattelFest and the start of the European Peace Ride

From 10:00 to 18:00, the SattelFest will take place for the first time on the grounds of the Jutta Müller Ice Sports Centre. The sports and family event will celebrate the fun of exercise and cultural exchange.

The festival offers highlights for young and old, such as free public ice skating, a children's running and cycling race, a historic penny-farthing race and much more. The event will be rounded off with a concert by Stereoact from 17:00. Prior to this, the European Peace Ride (EPR) will arrive at the Jutta Müller Ice Sports Centre at 16:00.

The EPR is the new edition of the international Peace Ride. It was first organised in 1952 and led across Eastern Europe, using Chemnitz as a stage time and again. The EPR took place for the first time again in 2020, when it handed over the bid book to the European Capital of Culture jury. This year, the Peace Tour started in Bad Ischl, Austria.

At 3:30 p.m., anyone who wants to take part in the last few kilometres of the EPR can join the cyclists at the Karl Marx Monument and collect more kilometres for CITY CYCLING and peace.

Start of the European Mobility Week

The European Mobility Week (EMW) starts again from 16 to 22 September. EMW is a campaign initiated by the European Commission in which local authorities can participate voluntarily. This year's motto is "Sharing road space". Various events are taking place in Chemnitz as part of EMW, such as an Oxford debate on 17 September on the topic of "How do you/your child get to school?", a discovery tour of the Garage Campus on 18 September, a rally through Chemnitz on 22 September and many other activities. Participation in the events is free of charge and well worth it: it raises awareness of sustainable mobility and broadens individual horizons.

CITY CYCLING interview - "I used to cycle to school in the neighbouring village."

Anne had to discover cycling for herself at an early age, as she always had to cycle to school in the neighbouring village. Today, the 32-year-old cycles to work and also cycles a lot in her free time. "CITY CYCLING is a nice little campaign that has motivated me to collect even more kilometres," says Anne. While collecting kilometres, she is also doing something good for the climate: she uses her bike instead of her car for everyday journeys.

Anne prefers to cycle towards Mittelbach and then on towards the Ore Mountains. "It would be nice if cyclists could cycle more safely," says Anne. In her opinion, this would require more cycle paths. According to Anne, CITY CYCLING can play a part in improving the cycling infrastructure by raising awareness. For the mobility of the future in Chemnitz, she would like to see more cycle paths and fewer cars in the city centre.

People with special needs, such as wheelchair users or the blind, would also like safer, low-barrier or barrier-free routes. If you notice a dangerous spot, you are welcome to use the Wheelmap to make navigation and mobility in Chemnitz easier for your fellow citizens. Defects can also be reported and recorded via the City of Chemnitz's defect reporter.

9 September: 202,263 kilometres are in the books: The first CITY CYCLING week is over

At the end of the campaign, we will be honouring teams and individual cyclists in various categories. The interim results for the categories can be found below.

The first week is not even over yet and we have already cycled 107,684 kilometres! If we carry on like this, we'll soon have beaten our record from last year: So keep up the good work, because every kilometre counts for Chemnitz! If you don't have any cycling plans for the weekend, you are welcome to take part in the Chemnitz 2025 bike tour, the running & cycling tour or the "An die Mulde nach Amerika" tour.

6 September: Chemnitz 2025 bike tour

The Chemnitz 2025 bike tour starts on Friday, 6 September 2024, at 18:00, at the Hartmannfabrik (Fabrikstraße 11, 09111 Chemnitz). It covers highlights of the Capital of Culture and lasts approx. two hours. Participation costs €9.00 per person, students pay €4.50.

7 September: Wheel & bike tour and tour "To the Mulde to America"

Our young Chemnitz residents can also get on a balance bike or bicycle: As part of SPORTS UNITED and SPORTY, there will be a wheel and bike tour. Participants will gather at the Zeisigwald playground/stadium from 14:00. Participation is free of charge.

The tour "An die Mulde nach Amerika" of the ADFC Chemnitz starts at 8:00 am at the boat rental at the Schloßteich and is about 66 kilometres long. You can take part in the tour from €3.00.

Even without taking part in a tour, we would be delighted if you spent your weekend on the STADTRADEL. Switch on the CITY CYCLING app and feel free to share your impressions on social media using #chemnitzdrehtamrad. If you discover places that are not accessible, please add them to the Wheelmap for a mobile Chemnitz for all!

In the last CITY CYCLING preparation month, our favourite bike should of course not be missing. Because there are also interesting campaigns and events in August where you can already start cycling.

12 August to 22 September: On foot and by public transport
to school & nursery

Families, daycare centres, schools and clubs can take part in a campaign that aims to promote sustainable early childhood mobility. The "On foot and by public transport to school and daycare centres" campaign promotes safe and environmentally friendly journeys to daycare centres, schools and clubs. From 12 August to 22 September 2024, the aim is to avoid parents taking taxis to nursery or school.

Parent taxis are also a frequent cause of difficult traffic situations in Chemnitz. They are not only harmful to the environment, but also pose a potential hazard. During the campaign period, participants should cover as many kilometres as possible by public transport (bus, train, walking and cycling). The kilometres collected can be entered online until 6 October 2024. Attractive prizes await the winners.

30 August: Start of the Lauf-KulTour

The next edition of the "Lauf-KulTour" will start on 30 August 2024 at the Orangerie, Reichenhainer Straße 70, 09126 Chemnitz. Participants will complete a duathlon over ten consecutive days, travelling through Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. The aim of the tour is to promote Chemnitz and the region, but also to raise awareness of the incurable disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy and support the Duchenne Foundation Germany. The foundation is committed to the research and development of therapies. The athletes will cross the finish line at the Orangerie on Sunday, 8 September 2024. The tour can be followed live on the web.

CITY CYCLING stars 2024

This year, the CITY CYCLING stars will once again come from Chemnitz citizens. Jens Schmidtke, Managing Director of the European Capital of Culture 2025 Chemnitz gGmbH programme, and Emu form the star duo of CITY CYCLING 2024. During the three-week campaign period, they will once again report on their cycling experiences on the streets of Chemnitz. They will have to do without motorised private transport as far as possible throughout the weeks (except in emergencies, ...).

Stefan Schmidtke has been cycling for over 40 years and does not own a car or any other motorised vehicle. He learnt to ride a bike on a MIFA folding bike. In his opinion, road traffic needs to be made more aware of equal rights for everyone. "Road traffic needs to better accept cyclists as equal road users," says Schmidtke. As a CITY CYCLING star, he wants to do exactly that to raise awareness.

Emu has been cycling actively for 10 years. The machine fitter associates cycling with freedom. For him, cycling is not a means to an end, it is more of an enjoyable hobby. For him, cycling is fun because "it depends on your inner attitude, when you are excited to be 'free' and see places that you would never have seen otherwise.". Cycling always puts a smile on his face.

An evaluation was carried out for the first time after CITY CYCLING 2023. Just under 10 per cent of the 2,945 participants from last year took part. The results of the evaluation can be found below.

June is also dominated by cycling: it was kicked off by the Day of the Bicycle on 3 June, on which special attention will once again be drawn to sustainable mobility. We would also like to draw your attention to two cycling events in Chemnitz.

9 June: Fichtelberg Cycle Marathon

This year, the Fichtelberg Cycle Marathon is celebrating its 12th birthday! 1,000 starters will take on the challenge of cycling from Chemnitz to the Fichtelberg. They will cover a distance of 94 kilometres with 1,820 metres of elevation gain.

The start is on Sunday at 9.00 am at the Karl Marx Monument. You can also greet the cyclists on the Fichtelberg in the afternoon. Cheering is not forbidden: The marathon cyclists are looking forward to your cheers!

13 June: Heavy24

From 13 to 16 June 2024, the Rabenstein reservoir will be spinning its wheels again: the Heavy24 is coming of age and will once again welcome over 1,000 mountain bikers. This makes Heavy24 one of the biggest mountain bike races in the whole of Germany.

You can experience the mountain bike flair of Chemnitz live in a cultivated festival atmosphere. So be sure to drop by the Rabenstein reservoir.

On Friday, 10 November 2023, a pop-up bikelane will be set up on Theaterstraße (between Pinguinen and Bierbrücke) from 11.00 am. The campaign is intended to show that pop-up bikelanes can be part of a good and safe cycling offer until the Capital of Culture year 2025. The campaign is taking place as part of the European Mobility Week net meeting. Cyclists will be counted until 11.45 am. So come along and show that Chemnitz is also cycling outside of CITY CYCLING!

To coincide with European Mobility Week 2023, an exchange format on the topic of "Sustainable mobility" will take place on 20 September at 6.30 pm. In Oxford debate style, eight participants will discuss the following selected sub-topics: traffic turnaround, 30 km/h in cities (with a focus on Chemnitz), the goal of 0 traffic fatalities, the reduction of emissions in road traffic and equal rights for all types of road users. The aim of this event is to sensitise all Chemnitz residents present to the topics of sustainable mobility and road safety. The discussion will be followed by an open dialogue. Come along to the Open Space (behind the Karl-Marx-Kopf) and share your questions and ideas!

The second week of CITY CYCLING is over and our stars have once again gained some experience.

"Another two weeks have passed and what can I say, it's rolling. Somehow the hills aren't so high any more and it's much faster. But you become more careless and use the one or other road that is perhaps not so official -> roadworks passage.

So my conclusion after week two: Thank you, weather, for making it so easy for us and I won't be putting the bike back in the cellar any time soon. My personal highlight of this week was the tour with the European Peace Ride from Einsiedel into the city. It's really great when you can ride alone on the road, secured by the police and the many people who cycled along or simply stood on the road and cheered us on. Simply WOW!

What do I wish for week three? Of course, that the weather holds out a little longer and that lots and lots of people join us for the final StadtRadelTour on Thursday. With this in mind, here's to the third and unfortunately last week. Your Jana."

Kai also pedalled hard again: "Yeah! The cycle path in Adelsbergstraße is open again. After a long closure due to the roadworks on the tram line, the best cycle path in the city (in my opinion) is finally open again. Unfortunately, there are still some restrictions due to the construction fences that are still in place. This will probably take quite a while, as the entire railway line of line 5 is being renovated. So it remains exciting.

One really remarkable development in Chemnitz is the increase in cycling. This is very pleasing, even if it does cause some problems. During rush hour, there are traffic jams at the traffic lights at Falkeplatz and difficult situations arise, especially for pedestrians, when several bicycles suddenly turn in different directions.

Another, unfortunately long-known, bottleneck is the footpath in front of tietz. To be honest, I have never seen anyone accept the prescribed diversion behind Tietz or change sides of the road to use the correct cycle path in the direction of Zenti. Even the bus drivers don't look very friendly when "their" bus lane is used by cyclists, even though this is the official route.

So there are still many construction sites in Chemnitz cycling, even if they only become visible through daily use. So stay alert, but relaxed ;) Your Kai"

European Mobility Week is a European Commission campaign that has been organised annually since 2002. It serves to introduce and raise awareness of sustainable mobility. Under the motto "Save Energy", the European Mobility Week will start on 16 September 2023 with a city tour along Zwickauer Straße. The tour guide Veronika Leonhardt, accompanied by Mr Michael Stötzer, Mayor for Urban Development and Construction, will lead participants from Falkeplatz via the Vehicle Museum to the Tram Museum.

The walk enables a more intensive experience of the living environment and contributes to a more sustainable way of life by saving resources. It provides information about the development of individual forms of mobility in Chemnitz, which can be seen in the "star garages". There will also be insights into the development of buses and trams, information on the industrial architecture along Zwickauer Straße and Mr Stötzer will answer questions on urban development.

The free walk starts on 16 September at 10 a.m. at Deutsche Bank on Falkeplatz and will last approximately two hours.

Please register directly with Mrs Leonhardt: 0174 2336609 or by e-mail.

The other events can be found in the programme booklet.

Jana Kühn and Kai Rösler complete the CITY CYCLING star trio, which this year for the first time comes from the citizens of Chemnitz. For 21 days, they will refrain from using their cars and share their cycling experiences with all interested parties via the CITY CYCLING blog.

Jana Kühn came to cycling for the "joy of exercise". The 40-year-old physiotherapist looks after athletes at the Saxony Olympic Training Centre and helps them to achieve peak performance. She is taking part in CITY CYCLING for the first time this year. Jana associates cycling with "freedom and a more relaxed daily routine".

She uses her bike for journeys to work, to the playground or to the ice cream parlour with the kids in summer. For her, cycling is both a hobby and a means to an end. To make it really fun, our CITY CYCLING star needs "enough air on the tyres and definitely good weather"

Kai's father took him out on his bike as a toddler, laying the foundation for Kai still travelling a lot by bike today. The 49-year-old graphic designer uses his bike to get to work and attend appointments. "Unfortunately, cycling is now just a means to an end for me. When I had more time, I used to ride my mountain bike regularly, but on holiday I regularly get on my bike with my family."

For Kai, cycling to be fun requires a good bike, good cycle paths and relaxed and attentive road users. Special care should be taken to ensure that cycle paths are not used by scooters or in the opposite direction to the direction of travel.

He often rides his Diamant on the cycle paths in Adelsberg, the town centre and Siegmar. For Kai, the keywords "sport, health, cheap, fun, speed, flexibility" stand for cycling mobility. He supports the CITY CYCLING campaign because "it's good and important".

Martin is one of a total of three CITY CYCLING stars who come from the citizens of Chemnitz this year. As a CITY CYCLING star, he has to do without his car completely from 1 to 21 September. Even carpooling or travelling by taxi is not allowed, only the use of public transport is still permitted.

The 36-year-old special school teacher has been cycling for a long time - he has been using his bike consciously and seriously as a means of transport since around 2006. He sees the bicycle as a healthy and environmentally friendly means of mobility that is good for "travelling to work and doing errands in the city".

When asked whether cycling is a means to an end or a hobby for him, the CITY CYCLING star replied: "To be honest, cycling is usually more of a means to an end for me, it's a quick and convenient means of transport. I cycle out of conviction, especially in the city." From Martin's point of view, you need one thing above all to enjoy cycling: a safe environment and the conviction to do the right thing.

Martin prefers to ride his cyclocross/gravel bike under his own steam on the Chemnitz Valley cycle path, the cycle path along the Kappelbach or in the city park. He supports the CITY CYCLING campaign "to promote greater acceptance for cyclists in Chemnitz and a cycle-friendly infrastructure". He uses the following three arguments to encourage people in his neighbourhood to cycle:

• health benefits
• environmentally friendly transport
• more bicycles on the roads must sensitise people to the need for friendlier and more considerate interaction in road traffic

Martin will share his experiences during the campaign period on the CITY CYCLING blog.

Maik Matthes bought a cargo bike for his job two years ago. The self-employed event technician had already given up using a car beforehand, as he does not have a driving licence and only uses bicycles and public transport to get around.

But is it even possible to master everyday working life with just a cargo bike? Yes, says Matthes, who carries out up to 90% of his jobs by cargo bike. Only in exceptional cases, when so much technology is needed that the bike is no longer sufficient as a means of transport, does he have the event technology delivered by lorry. He also organises the orders in such a way that he can bring the equipment to the venue twice by cargo bike.

This not only saves CO2 emissions but also costs. This also benefits his customers, to whom he can pass on the savings in the form of more favourable prices. From Matthes' point of view, this makes it more economical for both sides.

He sees the cycle path infrastructure in Chemnitz as a hurdle. Some of the cycle paths are poorly constructed and misleading, and in some places there are no cycle paths. As a result, he sometimes uses the footpath in narrow streets so as not to obstruct car traffic and to avoid dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.

Nevertheless, Mr Matthes can concentrate better by cycling. After a stressful day at work, it helps him to wind down and relax.

He hopes that the CITY CYCLING campaign will encourage more people to cycle and that the city will do more for cycling in future. Above all, this includes expanding the infrastructure, following the example of Münster or cities in the Netherlands.

Mrs Zelt associates cycling with freedom, mobility, sport, competitions and a contribution to environmental protection. No wonder she was the most active cyclist in CITY CYCLING 2021 with 1208.7 kilometres cycled.

For the triathlete, cycling is the number one means of transport in her professional and private life because it is faster than public transport and saves on annoying parking fees in the city centre compared to driving a car. Last year, she clocked up an impressive 16,000 kilometres on her bike. "There's hardly anything better than cycling up a climb through a wooded section with the scent of the forest in your nose, the twittering of birds and the babbling of streams in your ears and the lush green colours in your eyes." On her tours through the Ore Mountains, she almost always cycles through Wolkenstein, where she rewards herself for the kilometres she has already covered with coffee and cake and a view of Wolkenstein Castle.

But there are also things that get in the way when cycling. For example, there are dangerous overtaking manoeuvres by motorised road users on almost every tour, which "spoil the fun". She also sees potential for expanding Chemnitz's cycle path network, as cycle paths often stop or are damaged and dirty. Compared to cities in the Netherlands in particular, German municipalities still have a lot of potential. "It is possible, you just have to want to do it."

The frequent cyclist hopes that CITY CYCLING will change the mindset of car drivers and encourage them to cycle more as an alternative. This would result in a lower environmental impact. It could also increase awareness of overtaking distances. Within the mobility transition, short distances of up to five kilometres should be covered by bike in particular. This is particularly suitable in city centres.

The European Mobility Week takes place from 16 to 22 September. European Mobility Week is a campaign organised by the European Commission and has been held annually since 2002. It serves to introduce and raise awareness of sustainable mobility. Interesting offers and activities on the subject of mobility are also organised in Chemnitz. Of course, the bicycle as a means of transport should not be missing in the sustainable organisation of mobility. Accordingly, there will also be attractive bike-related offers.

• 18 September, 9:30 a.m.: Sunday bike tour of the ADFC Chemnitz e. V.
• 16 September, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.: Mobility festival
• 17 September, 9:15 a.m. to 7:31 p.m.: ADFC cycle tour
• 17 September, 11 a.m.: Cycle tour with SV IKA
• 17 September, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.: Bicycle repair workshops
• 19 September, 4:30 pm: cargo bike parade followed by a regulars' table at around 6 pm
• 22 September, 4 and 6 p.m.: Bicycle repair workshops
• 25 September, 2 p.m.: Kidical Mass - colourful bike demo "More kids on bikes"

All kilometres cycled can of course be collected via the CITY CYCLING app. Click here for more information on the European Mobility Week in Chemnitz.

The highly decorated trialists Marco Hösel and Hannes Hermann have won everything there is to win. Trial competitions are characterised by challenging courses. The aim is to overcome the various obstacles as error-free as possible without setting foot on the ground. But how did you get into trial riding in the first place?

Both athletes agree - cycling turned from a hobby into a passion. The sporting challenge aroused their ambition. But the outdoor experience was also a decisive factor for Marco Hösel.

The trial riders hope that the CITY CYCLING campaign will_{reduce CO2 emissions}, ease the burden on the transport sector and encourage as many Chemnitz residents as possible to switch to environmentally friendly cycling as a means of transport. According to Hannes Hermann, this could also lead to the creation of more cycle paths due to the increased demand.
Both champions appeal for cycling safety before pedalling.

The bicycle is still actively used by many older people in Chemnitz. One of many examples of this is the Schollbach family, with whom we spoke about CITY CYCLING.

The couple combine cycling with relaxation and the joy of physical activity on a versatile and environmentally friendly means of transport. They not only use their bikes for cycling tours in and around Chemnitz, but also for errands in the neighbourhood, such as shopping.

To make cycling really fun, you believe that the routes should be as far away from car traffic as possible, be well developed and preferably only have a slight incline. In Chemnitz, you can use the Chemnitz Valley cycle path and the Kappelbach cycle path, among others. The route via Röhrsdorf, Limbach, Grüna, Rabenstein, Kappelbach and Schönau is particularly beautiful.

The cycling pensioners hope that the CITY CYCLING event will make cycling even more popular, so that more Chemnitz residents will switch to bikes as an alternative to cars or simply spend more of their free time on their bikes. Within the mobility transition, the bicycle already plays a major role for the family: "The car is only taken when cycling or public transport is not an option."

The Olympic champion and four-time German track cycling sprint champion associates cycling with freedom. Freedom that he also recommends to all other Chemnitz residents. "The first step is to get your bike working properly. That makes cycling a lot more fun. I believe that you should start bit by bit. When the weather is nice, just take the bike to the ice cream parlour, even if it's only one kilometre. You have to start with small things, take small steps."

The widely accepted and utilised Chemnitz Valley cycle path is particularly suitable for this. His wish for the future: "Create similar cycle paths from Chemnitz to the surrounding area. Cycle paths are the be-all and end-all."

The topic of cycling safety plays a major role in this fast-paced sport and also in everyday life. "A helmet gives you the safety you need to avoid major and serious injuries, especially in the head area," says Bötticher, who wears a helmet both on the cycling track and when cycling privately.

Has your bike broken down? Then why not repair it yourself at one of the do it yourself bike repair stations.

At a bike service station, self-help station or repair station, you will find basic tools such as an air pump and open-end and hexagon spanners for easy self-repair. The air pumps can also be used to inflate wheelchair tyres or pushchair tyres.

In addition, a device is provided at the stations to which the beloved bike can be fixed for repair. The equipment at the do it yourself repair stations varies.

There are currently five fully equipped bike repair stations in the city and a self-help workshop in the basement of the environmental centre. Here you can repair your bike yourself under expert guidance. The following map shows where the stations are located.

The younger generation is also taking part in the CITY CYCLING campaign in 2022.
But what do the young people of Chemnitz think about cycling? We spoke to pupils Antonia Winger, Leonie Korarnik and Rosa-Nora Nebel at KOSMOS about this.

They all agree that the cycle path network should be further expanded and the presence of cyclists should be increased. It is also important to increase motorists' acceptance of cyclists and other road users. CITY CYCLING is fun, fast, environmentally friendly and makes you independently mobile.

But how can other young people in Chemnitz be convinced of this? When asked, the students emphasise the environmental aspect in particular: "You can do something good and then realise that it's much more fun than you thought and also saves time." In addition, you no longer have to have a guilty conscience, you're out in the fresh air and doing something with your friends.

For the Mayor for Human Resources, Finance and Organisation, cycling is both a means to an end and a hobby, making it "virtually unbeatable". Mr Burghart associates cycling on the one hand with a means of transport and on the other with a means of keeping fit and doing sport. Cycling trips with his family are a firm favourite.

To make cycling fun, he believes that all road users must generally take care of each other. "On private tours, it's important to assess yourself and the whole family correctly and not take on too much. Increase and work towards a goal," says the mountain biking mayor, who also likes to cycle longer tours in Carinthia or South Tyrol on holiday.

In Chemnitz, he cycles privately on the Chemnitz Valley cycle path and through the Rabenstein Forest, and professionally on the cycle paths of the city's cycle path system.

Within the mobility transition, Mr Burghart sees the bicycle primarily as a "feeder means to public transport". In addition, all short journeys within the city should be made by bike. In terms of climate protection, he sees the bicycle as a "complementary element" alongside public transport and the electric car, as it can be used in a variety of ways thanks to e-bikes and the different bicycle variants, such as cargo bikes.