In many places, you can cycle quickly from your home to the railway station. You can then cover a longer distance by train and continue by bike at your destination station. Folding bikes are perfect for this, as they can be folded up very compactly in a matter of seconds thanks to ingenious folding mechanisms. But other bikes can also be taken on trains and buses.
Why commute by bike?
Buses and trains offer many options for commuters who want to take their bike with them. With a little planning, you can take your bike with you safely and easily - whether on local or long-distance services. Some buses and trains even allow you to take your bike with you at no extra cost. Before starting your journey, you should find out whether you are allowed to take your bike with you (e.g. check the closing times) and whether you need to buy a bike ticket.
How to take your bike on buses and trains
Taking bicycles on local transport
"Bicycle transport is regulated differently in the transport associations," it says on the Deutsche Bahn website, which provides information about taking bicycles on local transport. That doesn't make it easy for travellers. Commuters who travel on the same transport networks every day have it easier. They only need to inform themselves once and then know how bicycles are accepted on local transport in the region. Nevertheless, there are obstacles to commuting by bike and train. Obstacles can be:
- Closing times for bicycle transport during peak times
Example: In and around Munich, bicycles are taboo on the S-Bahn and U-Bahn on weekdays from six to nine and from 4 to 6 pm - Full trains
Example: If the trains are so full that you have trouble getting in with your bike, there is a great deal of uncertainty about being taken on board every day
Can bicycles with 20-inch wheels be taken free of charge?
As already mentioned, the transport associations in the federal states are all doing their own thing. In Bavaria, for example, bicycles with 20-inch wheels could generally be taken on Bavarian local transport free of charge until the end of 2020. Since the end of 2022, this regulation no longer applies. 20-inch bicycles can still only be taken free of charge on BRB trains and in the MVV (Munich) and VGN (Nuremberg) transport associations.
Always works: folding bike
A folding bike is less bulky and can be carried free of charge as hand luggage on all Deutsche Bahn trains when folded up. No bike card or parking space reservation is necessary. So you are always well prepared for the first and last mile of the journey. It also eliminates problems such as having to park your bike safely at your destination.
Bicycle transport on long-distance services
It can also make sense to take a bicycle with you on business trips - but also on holiday trips. It is generally possible to take a bicycle with you on many long-distance trains. An available bicycle parking space should be reserved in good time, especially in the summer months. Parking spaces are often fully booked weeks in advance.
A bicycle ticket for long-distance journeys including a parking space reservation is available from 9 euros. For journeys within Germany, this can be conveniently booked via the app or on the railway's website. If you are travelling internationally, you need to book and reserve at a DB Service Centre, a DB agency or by telephone.
Attention! If a train is cancelled or the connecting train is not reached due to a delay and it is a long-distance train, i.e. ICE or IC, the onward journey can sometimes be problematic. If there is no more space for bicycles on subsequent trains, the only way to continue your journey is to change to regional trains.
Trick 17: Put the bike in a bag?
In the past, you could read the following on the railway's website:
Disassembled and fully packed standard bicycles and folded bicycles - the latter also without packaging - can be taken on board, provided they can be stowed safely under or above the seat and do not hinder or injure other passengers or damage the vehicle.
This text can no longer be found anywhere. Whether the regulation still applies probably depends on the number of passengers, luggage volumes and train crews.
Taking bicycles on the bus
In some transport associations it is permitted to take a bicycle on the bus. Provided there is sufficient space.
Will anything change with the 49 euro ticket?
The introduction of the Deutschland Ticket, which is planned for the beginning of May 2023, will in principle not change the rules on taking bicycles on buses and trains. Until now, if the train is full, it is full and you will not be taken on board. Then you have to wait for the next one. If travelling and commuting volumes increase with the 49 euro ticket, trains and buses may become increasingly full. Conversely, this means that people travelling with bikes sometimes have to wait on the platform. It might be a good idea to start by walking to the train station or leaving your bike at the station and observing the situation.
Park your bike at the station
Another option is to park your bike at the railway station or bus stop. Ideally, there should be facilities there to lock up your bike. More and more often there are even covered bicycle parking spaces. Of course, it is important to secure the bike appropriately. Unfortunately, this is also Best bike lock no guarantee that the bike will not fall into the clutches of thieves.
Bike sharing
Last but not least, many cities also offer the option of using bike sharing services such as Nextbike. There are monthly fees and sometimes special conditions for people with a public transport season ticket.
Get in well informed
With the right preparations, commuting by bike, bus and train is easy. An overview of the most important points for taking your bike on public transport:
- Find out in advance whether there are any blocking periods for bicycle transport
- Check with the relevant transport associations to see whether a bicycle ticket is required
- For long-distance transport, a parking space must be reserved in advance
- A folded folding bike can always be taken along free of charge
Have fun with your commute!
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
