Spectrum: As part of the German Bicycle Prize 2019, singer Max Raabe was honored as the "most bicycle-friendly personality". The prize was awarded by Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer at the National Cycling Congress in Dresden. Every year, the German Bicycle Prize is awarded to the best cycling promotion projects in the “Infrastructure”, “Service” and “Communication” categories.
The German Bicycle Prize is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI) and the Association of Pedestrian and Bicycle-Friendly Cities, Municipalities and Districts in North Rhine-Westphalia (AGFS). Partners and sponsors of the competition are the Bicycle Industry Association (ZIV) and the Association of Service and Bicycles (VSF). First place in each category is worth 3.000 euros. A total of 2019 applications were received for the 110 award. The project "Further development of the regional cycle path network in the Ruhr Metropolis" took first place in the infrastructure category. A cycle path network for everyday traffic is to be created in Germany's largest conurbation.
In the Service category, the prize went to the “Free Cargo Bikes” concept. With 85 initiatives, almost 200 bikes and more than 10.000 users, it is currently the largest bike rental system available to the public free of charge. The Cologne campaign alliance “#RingFrei” won the coveted prize in the communication category. The alliance for the abolition of the obligation to use cycle paths on the Cologne rings and a transformation of the Cologne boulevard under the maxim "one lane for the car, one lane for the bike and the pedestrians the sidewalk" was awarded here. The project was realized by addressing the public in a targeted manner and involving pedestrians, cyclists, retailers, planners, administrative staff and politicians.
The "most bicycle-friendly personality" and the winner of a photo competition were also honored in Dresden. The “Most Bike-Friendly Personality” is an opinion-former who publicly identifies as a cyclist. This year the prize went to singer Max Raabe. Born in Lüner, he became well known for his singing in the style of the 1920s and 1930s. One of the best-known titles is “No pig is calling me”, published in 1992.
“With the German Bicycle Award we want to make good and innovative projects to promote cycling known to decision-makers and experts and to promote cycling. That's why every year, in addition to the practical examples, we also honor the most bicycle-friendly personality - a kind of ambassador for the bike. I'm happy to award this prize to Max Raabe today. There are few more convinced cyclists than him. He doesn't just cycle all year round - regardless of whether it's stormy or snowing. In his song "Fahrrad fahr'n" he also sings about his love for the bike with lines like "Sometimes everything runs smoothly in life - provided that you have a bike." - Andreas Scheuer, Federal Minister of Transport and Digital Infrastructure