The first was the “Cyclists’ Club,” founded in 1884; six more followed later. In September 1889, the city council regulated bicycle traffic for the first time—at that time, there were only 37 high-wheel bicycle owners for every 17,200 residents. Only citizens in possession of a registered license were permitted to ride. The number of courses offered to teach people how to ride a bicycle increased. Soon, the new mode of transportation was no longer just a social pastime for the wealthy middle class; thanks to mass production, it had also become affordable for the working class. In the 1950s, the bicycle lost its appeal.
With the “Economic Miracle,” the number of private motor vehicles skyrocketed—the car now took precedence in municipal transportation planning. Increased environmental and health awareness among the population then brought about a turnaround in the 1970s. Today, Erlangen can proudly claim the title of “most bicycle-friendly city” (in the category for cities with 100,000 or more residents)—a ticket is no longer required to use its bicycle path network, which now spans 180 km.
Photo: City Archives – Bicycle ticket, May 1915
See also
Cycling
All information for cyclists in Erlangen: Where can I park my bike? Where are the cycle lanes? Information on funding programs and much more.
City archive
The Erlangen City Archive is the official memory of Erlangen. The main tasks of the city archive include the permanent storage and cataloging of collections.
Short Stories from the City
Erlangen has a long and interesting history. There's a lot to tell. A look back.
Cycling
All information for cyclists in Erlangen: Where can I park my bike? Where are the cycle lanes? Information on funding programs and much more.
City archive
The Erlangen City Archive is the official memory of Erlangen. The main tasks of the city archive include the permanent storage and cataloging of collections.
Short Stories from the City
Erlangen has a long and interesting history. There's a lot to tell. A look back.