Cycling in Dachau: 64% feel at risk – infrastructure failure!

Cycling in Dachau: 64% feel at risk – infrastructure failure!

Dachau, June 23, 2025 - The latest results of the 2024 bicycle climate test, carried out by the ADFC, shed a worrying light on the bicycle infrastructure in Dachau. Again Courier Dachau reports, 64 percent of respondents feel at risk when cycling in the city. The overall grade of 3.85 means only 159th place out of 429 across Germany in the category of 20,000 to 50,000 inhabitants. In a Bavaria-wide comparison, things don't look much better with 17th place out of 49.

A warning sign is the critical feedback on the width of the cycle paths: 86 percent of participants are of the opinion that they are too narrow. In addition, 70 percent complain about the structural condition of the cycling infrastructure, which is often described as bumpy, damaged and uneven. 70 percent of those surveyed also noted that the traffic lights in Dachau are not good for cyclists, which makes cycling even more dangerous.

Critical traffic situation

Conflicts with car traffic are by no means rare in Dachau. Almost three quarters of those surveyed report frequent annoying encounters, with the danger primarily posed by illegal parking on cycle paths, which, according to 69 percent of cyclists, are tolerated. With an aggressive traffic climate, as 68 percent of participants perceive, a relaxed journey is hardly possible. It is hardly surprising that 81 percent of cyclists say that they are usually overtaken too closely by cars.

What is particularly worrying is the fact that 80 percent of those surveyed are often forced to get off and push their bikes at construction sites. This of course has a negative impact on the overall assessment of the cycling situation. But not everything is bad: 64 percent of those surveyed reach their destination quickly and without detours, and 62 percent rate the accessibility of the city center as positive. The fact that most one-way streets are open to cyclists in the opposite direction is also perceived positively by 75 percent of participants.

A look beyond the borders of Dachau

In comparison, the ADFC points out that the general bicycle rating in Germany in 2024 will be on average 3.92 - which represents a slight deterioration compared to 2022 (then 3.96). Large cities such as Frankfurt am Main and Hanover in particular enjoy better ratings. The situation in Dachau shows that the smaller cities are experiencing short-term improvements, but have a long-term need to catch up when it comes to promoting bicycles.

Mountainous cities, on the other hand, are proving to be emerging cycling strongholds, supported by the increasing proportion of Pedelecs. The ADFC emphasizes that cities with solid bicycle concepts, such as Tübingen, are rated particularly positively. Despite the challenges in Dachau, progress is also being made here: the positive perception and rewards for bicycle promotion have increased in recent years, which may be due to the federal and state funding programs as well as the commitment of local authorities.

Overall, we can only hope that Dachau not only reflects on the negative aspects, but also takes advantage of the opportunities to develop into a truly bicycle-friendly city. Citizens deserve to be able to cycle safely and comfortably - after all, cycling can be a joy if the conditions are right.