Scrap bikes in Germany: Study shows: Bicycle corpses are a growing problem

It's a familiar sight in cities: abandoned, rusty bicycles are everywhere, many have been around for months or years - and the number is increasing. Many cities are struggling with the problem of junk bikes that no longer have an owner. These bikes cause trouble on the pavements, spoil the cityscape and block the already scarce parking spaces. Collecting and disposing of these bikes requires a considerable amount of manpower and money from the public order authorities. It is a growing problem that is obvious. The Buycycle online platform has now extrapolated the number of scrap bicycles and the associated costs in a study.

What is a scrap bike anyway?

But how does an ordinary bike actually become a scrap bike? Authorities differentiate between abandoned bikes and scrap bikes, because: While an abandoned bike without an owner generally still appears to be roadworthy and only needs minor repairs to be put back into service, "genuine" scrap bikes are those with missing parts such as handlebars, saddle or rims or tyres, or bikes where the cost of repair exceeds the cost of disposal. Scrap bikes are therefore often stolen bikes or bikes that were left behind by the previous owner due to their poor condition.

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Study on scrap bicycles: Projections show drastic extent

However, the Buycycle study does not contain exact figures, but is based on extrapolations and comprehensive research to show the number of scrap bicycles on German roads and the costs for cities and authorities. The study also aims to show what alternatives there are for discarded bicycles.

As not all authorities were able to provide exact figures, data from media coverage in recent years was also used for the extrapolation. The average number of scrap bikes was calculated for 19 German cities. In large cities such as Munich, Hamburg and Cologne, over 4,000 scrap bikes are removed every year.

The mean value of all 19 cities was extrapolated to the total population to determine the total number of scrap bicycles. The result: more than 162,000 abandoned bicycles per year! Here are the Top 10 cities with the most scrap bikes per year:

1. Hamburg: 4671 scrap bikes
2. Cologne: 4642 scrap bikes
3. Munich: 4400 scrap bikes
4. Berlin: 4395 scrap bikes
5. Düsseldorf: 2400 scrap bikes
6. Hanover: 1789 scrap bikes
7. Kassel: 1500 scrap bikes
8. Frankfurt: 510 scrap bikes
9. Bremen: 500 scrap bikes
10. Freiburg: 415 scrap bikes

The removal of scrap bicycles costs millions

Removing scrap bikes is expensive: labour costs, expenses for cleaning campaigns and disposal all add up. Bicycles often have to be stored temporarily, which incurs additional costs. According to the Berlin-Steglitz district office, for example, only 876 of 1920 marked bicycles were removed in 2022, mainly due to financial restrictions. These almost 900 bikes alone have already incurred costs totalling 20,000 euros.

In Bremen, removing a scrap wheel costs around 100 euros, in Dresden as much as 150 euros per wheel. Based on the extrapolation, this results in an annual cost range of between 16 and 25 million euros. Where does the money come from? The sums are paid indirectly by citizens, as the collection and removal is financed by taxpayers' money.

The reasons for disposing of bicycles

Why are so many bicycles disposed of on the street? Wolfgang Großmann, Managing Director of P+R Park&Ride GmbH, explains: "Scrap bikes or so-called abandoned bikes disfigure our cities and block bicycle parking spaces. But they also hinder the urgently needed switch to bicycles because those who are actively travelling by bike cannot find free parking spaces. In our experience, this is not just a case of stolen or literally forgotten bikes, but often the owners are simply too inconvenienced by the - usually minor - effort involved in getting the bike back on the road. We are therefore delighted when charitable organisations repair these bikes and pass them on to people who urgently need them. That's sustainability at its best." And there is just such an offer...

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A second life for scrap bikes

Bicycles are expensive. You have to budget at least 500 euros for a good bike - not everyone can afford that. Donating old bicycles is therefore a good way to do something good and give people access to a bicycle. Sometimes all it takes is a small repair to make a bike that has been gathering dust in the cellar fit to ride again. But other charitable organisations are also happy to receive donations of old bicycles, for example Caritas or the Red Cross.

Munich is setting a good example when it comes to dealing with scrap bicycles: together with the municipal subsidiary P+R Park & Ride GmbH, they are working on the problem, with four employees working all year round to mark and remove abandoned bicycles. The aim is to give these bikes a second life - the company is in contact with 53 charitable organisations to this end.

Conclusion: There are also solutions to the problem of junk bikes

The projections show that junk bikes are a widespread problem in German cities. To prevent bicycles from being stolen in the first place, which can pave the way to a neglected bicycle, it makes sense to to buy a good lock. Furthermore, old bikes can usually be donated. Through donations or proper disposal, we improve the cleanliness and appearance of cities, create space to park roadworthy bikes and support people who cannot afford a new bike. The essence of the study is therefore also that we are making an important contribution to environmental protection and the sustainable use of resources by looking after our old bikes and not simply letting them fall into disrepair.