As the new school year begins in parts of Germany, the German Cyclists’ Association (ADFC) is calling for safer routes to school for children who cycle.
The ADFC recommends that parents practice the route to school with their children at an early stage and under real traffic conditions. The association is also calling for better conditions to support children’s independent mobility.
According to the 2025 Bicycle Monitor cited by the ADFC, 88% of children who cycle enjoy or very much enjoy riding a bicycle, while 35% also use a bicycle to travel to school. At the same time, many children feel unsafe in road traffic. Among children aged six to 13, 78% are afraid of large vehicles such as trucks and buses, while 75% fear being hit by a car.
Accident figures also highlight the safety concerns. According to the ADFC, 27,260 children under the age of 15 were involved in road traffic accidents in Germany in 2024. Among children aged six to 14 involved in accidents, 38% were travelling by bicycle. Accidents occur particularly frequently on weekdays between 7 and 8 a.m. and between 3 and 5 p.m., coinciding with typical school travel times.
Photo: ADFC
A study of 167 primary schools also found that only 5% of the school routes examined were classified as safe.
“Completing the journey to school by bicycle is important for children’s development,” said Caroline Lodemann, Federal Managing Director of the ADFC.
The ADFC recommends that parents choose the safest rather than the shortest route, ride it several times together with their children, and practice potential hazards such as poorly visible intersections and driveways.
However, the ADFC says municipalities have a particular responsibility for creating safer routes to school. The association is calling for 30 km/h speed limits, child-friendly cycling infrastructure and “school streets” that can be closed to motor traffic, at least at the start of the school day.
The ADFC is also calling for comprehensive school travel plans with safe cycling routes.
Photo: ADFC
