Why Munich Is Germany's Bicycle Capital

I visited Munich in August 2024 and cycled around the city for the first time. Let's explore whether this city truly deserves its title as Germany's bicycle capital! Coming from cycling experiences in Italian cities, I dive into Munich's bike infrastructure-its impressive 20% modal share (projected to hit 25% by 2025), extensive bike lanes, and priority streets. With 83% of households owning bikes and daily usage outpacing cars, Munich is redefining urban mobility.
In this video, I rent a bike via Call a Bike and ride through iconic spots like Königsplatz, Hofgarten, and Englischer Garten. From wide separated paths to confusing intersections, I share the highs (amazing consideration during roadworks!) and lows (painted lanes and tricky navigation). Is Munich's bike culture real?
Love urban cycling? Subscribe for more rides and let me know your thoughts on Munich's bike scene in the comments!

Shooting, editing and research take a lot of time. If you'd like to support my work you can join the Patreon membership. Thank you!

Gear used (affiliate links):

Music Attributions:
Track: Hit Me Up Again by Summer Heart

Tracks: Vårsång, Snow In Gothenburg, I'm In Trouble (feat. ViVii), Alive by Kasbo

[Velocipiedii]

I loved the analysis and the video, which has very good editing. I also went to Munich last year and had similar remarks. While some spaces still are very car centric the connectivity between cycle paths and especially the care given to maintain them during construction is remarkable. Keep going!

[thunderheartwoman]

Ciao from Munich and thanks for your research and taking us along on your tour through the city. You've addressed all the issues I, too, experience as a local riding my bike in Munich. I recently learned that they are working on more and better bike paths in the city, so I have hope... Active Towns made two great videos about it just a couple of days ago, maybe you'd like to check them out. I learned a lot there as a local which I didn't know about my city because I've been too scared to ride in the city center until now 😅

[Dacode]

Please upload the cycling videos in Germany! Great video!

[mardiffv.]

I agree with your conclusion about cycling in Munich. I visited Munich a couple of times and every time I took my bike with me. I had great fun cycling, I never felt I was in danger.
Sure, some bike lanes were quite narrow. But the car drivers were nice for cyclists.

[manu.yt]

Nice video, Munich looks better than Berlin (my only german city biking experience so far), Berlin is very disappointing in term of bike infrastructure, most is just a painted line on the street, no physical safety provided...

[generischgesichtslosgeneri]

Rent is brutally high. The public transportation system is always late when you keed it, and traccic is jamed. That's why people ride bikes. Don't come to munich, cost of livin is crazy and people here are distant and cold.