Spectrum: According to the recently published ADFC Travelbike Radanalyse 2017, cycle tourism in Germany is growing more dynamically than most other holiday segments, with an increase of 16%. The study, which was carried out for the first time this year with the partner Travelbike, shows 5,2 million Germans as cycling holidaymakers. Despite the positive development, the cyclists also saw room for improvement.
The growing cycle tourism in Germany naturally has a positive impact on the CO2 balance. One in five cyclists starts their cycling holiday right in front of the front door, one third uses the train to travel to and from their holiday destination. In comparison, the average of all travelers using the train is a ridiculous 5%. Only 5% of cycle tourists get on the plane for their vacation. Cycle tourism is therefore rightly considered one of the most environmentally friendly forms of travel.
The forecasts for 2017 are also interesting. According to the representative online survey of 7.000 German citizens, 84% are planning one or more cycle trips this year. Germany is very popular here with 61% - 36% of cycle tourists want to go to other European countries and only 3% overseas. Here, too, the balance of the average vacationer with regard to a vacation in Germany is significantly worse at 30%. Figures that confirm cycle tourism as a very important factor for the tourism industry in Germany.
Most cycling holidaymakers are of moderate age – the average is 48 years. On average, cycle tourists cover 65 kilometers per day, the preferred number of stages is between seven and eight stages with changing accommodation. The increasing number of female cyclists is also positive. Compared to the previous year, the proportion of women increased from 33,5% to 42%. The most popular long-distance cycle path is the Elbe Cycle Path, followed by the Weser Cycle Path and the Ruhr Valley Cycle Path in second place. The Rhine cycle path is in third place. In terms of regions, Bavaria, the Münsterland and Lake Constance are at the top of the popularity scale.
Respondents to the ADFC Travelbike Radanalyse 2017 see a need for action in terms of signposting and a consistent network of cycle paths analogous to car traffic. There are also problems in everyday traffic, because the bicycle unfortunately still plays a subordinate role in Germany - even 200 years after the invention of the balance bike by Karl von Drais.
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