30,000 cyclists at the 50th ADFC Star Ride in Berlin – demonstration for better cycling infrastructure

According to the ADFC, the Star Ride has been registered as a demonstration for years. This status allowed participants to temporarily use streets and even highway sections such as the Avus (A115) and the A100. On around 20 routes with a total length of more than 1,000 kilometers, the paths led into central Berlin to the Großer Stern, where an environmental festival was still taking place until 6 p.m.

Some routes already started early on Sunday morning in Brandenburg, including in Oranienburg, Eberswalde, and Brandenburg an der Havel. Longer night tours also began in Leipzig and Szczecin. In addition to the main routes, there were five feeder tours from Berlin and Brandenburg, as well as a separate route for children through the center of Berlin. Many families with children joined the cycling procession along the way.

Routes from Brandenburg and the surrounding area

In Berlin, the cyclists were gradually guided onto the city highway and finally led to the Großer Stern at the Victory Column. Because of the demonstration, numerous streets were closed to car traffic, including the Straße des 17. Juni and Ebertstraße, which were closed all day. Between approximately 12 and 2:30 p.m., the A100 between Dreieck Neukölln and Spandauer Damm, as well as the A115 (Avus) between Kreuz Zehlendorf and Dreieck Funkturm, were also not accessible.

Berlin's Traffic Information Center provided information about the closures on its website viz.berlin.de and advised using S-Bahn and U-Bahn trains instead of cars. Drivers had to use detour routes. Most of the closed routes were expected to be reopened from the afternoon onwards.

Traffic situation and closures

Marlene Alber, Political Advisor at ADFC Berlin, said: "Die Menschen wollen von Herzen Radfahren, dennoch drängt die Politik sie an den Rand und schickt sie auf unsichere Wege". She called on transport policymakers to finally take the concerns of cyclists seriously and do more for safe bike paths. Specifically, the ADFC demanded: "Wir fordern Ausbau statt Rückbau, Investitionen statt Kürzungen. Damit Radfahren jeden Tag sicher und komfortabel möglich ist."

ADFC demands

According to its own statements, the ADFC has been advocating for better conditions for cycling within the framework of the Star Ride for decades. According to the ADFC, the event is intended to underscore the demand for better cycling traffic. This includes in particular the expansion of safe and comfortable bike paths that strengthen everyday cycling in the capital region.

Police and the organizer had both cited the figure of around 30,000 participants on Sunday afternoon. This means the anniversary Star Ride reached a new record and underscored the growing importance of cycling in the Berlin-Brandenburg region.

The Star Ride is considered one of the largest bicycle demonstrations in Germany. It takes place annually and attracts participants from the entire Berlin surrounding area and beyond. This year, the longest journeys started at night in order to reach the Großer Stern by midday.

A signal for climate-friendly mobility

According to the ADFC, the demonstration was also intended to send a signal for climate-friendly mobility policy. The link with the environmental festival at the Großer Stern underscored this character. Families, children, and adults celebrated the end of the joint ride together with music, information booths, and food and drinks.

ADFC Berlin sees the high level of participation as confirmation that many people want a more bicycle-friendly transport policy. The demonstration is intended to increase pressure on politicians and administration to noticeably improve conditions for cycling. According to the association, this includes protected bike paths, safe intersections, and better connections between the surrounding area and the city center.

The closures led to significant disruptions in Berlin's city traffic on Sunday. The Traffic Information Center recommended taking a wide detour or using public transport. According to the authorities, the situation gradually returned to normal with the progressive reopening of routes from the afternoon onwards.

Overall, the 50th ADFC Star Ride shows that the bicycle plays a growing role in the capital region. The record turnout and the prominent demand for investment in cycling infrastructure send a clear signal to Berlin's transport policymakers – with a view to the upcoming budget negotiations and further urban planning.

The next Star Ride is planned for 2027, the ADFC announced. According to the organizer, it will once again be about reinforcing the demands for safe, expanded, and comfortable bike paths – in Berlin and in the surrounding area.