CITY CYCLING 2025: 2,300 cyclists save 71 tons of CO2 in the district!

CITY CYCLING 2025: 2,300 cyclists save 71 tons of CO2 in the district!

In Cologne everything revolves around cycling – and not without reason! Because the successful CITY CYCLING campaign set a new record in the Osterholz district on June 22, 2025. Over 2,300 enthusiastic participants covered an impressive 435,000 kilometers together and avoided an incredible 71 tons of CO2. This initiative is not only good for the environment, but also shows how many people are actively committed to better climate protection.

The CITY CYCLING campaign goes beyond just the number of kilometers cycled. It means that more and more people are switching to bicycles, which is not only good for the environment but also for their health. The final evaluation of the results will be carried out retrospectively, with the possibility of adding kilometers that have not been recorded until June 30, 2025. Participants can do this conveniently via the online portal or the CITY CYCLING app. A first chic presentation of the results and award ceremony is planned for July 7, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. in Kreishaus I in Osterholz-Scharmbeck, and no one will miss it.

From participation to activation

The success of CITY CYCLING also shows that many people in Germany are ready to rethink transport. In the first few weeks of registration, many hundreds of municipalities are checked, which can take a certain amount of time. Therefore, potential participants should always be patient until their municipality is activated. Stadtradeln.de recommends not to ask any questions until activation and to enjoy the anticipation of cycling together.

An important point here is the infrastructure. According to a current study by the ADFC, greenhouse gas emissions in local areas could be reduced by an impressive 34% by 2035 if the share of cycling on journeys of up to 30 kilometers was tripled to 45%. Currently this proportion is only 13%. To achieve this, an inviting infrastructure is necessary, characterized by a seamless network of safe cycle paths and good connections to public transport. ADFC federal chairman Frank Masurat is therefore calling for a departure from the previous course in transport policy in order to make Germany a real “bicycle country”.

The other side of the coin

Favorite cycling cities like Utrecht and Copenhagen show how it’s done. The share of cycling traffic there is over 40%. A look at the cycle path network in Germany reveals that, at 33.6%, it is in the middle range compared to other European countries. The proportion of pure cycle paths is only 9%, while Denmark has almost 28% and the Netherlands an impressive 70.5%. In Germany, a study by Fraunhofer ISI shows that many people would be willing to switch to cycling if the conditions were anywhere near as good as in the Netherlands.

Overall, the CITY CYCLING project in Osterholz shows not only the joy of cycling, but also how important it is to improve the conditions for cyclists. If we succeed in mobilizing more people and creating suitable infrastructure, nothing will stand in the way of shifting transport to bicycles. Cologne could also become a true cycling city in the near future.

Further information about the campaign and the results can be found on the official website of STADTRADELN.