Cycling in Berlin - rules, fines, safety and protecting your bike

• On the road, on the right. As a cyclist you normally ride on the carriageway, keeping to the right.
• Bike paths with blue signs are compulsory. You must use a bike path in your direction of travel only if it is marked with one of the round blue signs: a white bicycle (bike path), a bicycle and pedestrian above each other (shared path) or side by side (separate paths). Other bike paths on the right-hand side may be used but are optional.
• Left-hand bike paths may only be used if a sign says Radverkehr frei (bicycles allowed). Riding against the direction of travel on a bike path when one exists on your side costs €20 or more.
• Two abreast is allowed if you do not obstruct other traffic; otherwise ride in single file.
• Cycle streets (Fahrradstraße, square blue sign with a bicycle) are reserved for cycling; other vehicles may only use them where an additional sign allows it.
• Pavements (Gehweg) are for pedestrians. Adults may not cycle on them unless a sign allows it.

• Children up to 8 must ride on the pavement, or on a bike path that is physically separated from the road.
• Children up to 10 may ride on the pavement.
• An accompanying adult (at least 16 years old) may ride on the pavement while accompanying a child under 8.
• Everyone must take special care of pedestrians, and children and their companion must get off and push before crossing a road from the pavement.

To carry children on your own bike, the rider must be at least 16. Children up to 7 may ride in a proper child seat with protection for their feet; a child trailer may carry up to two children up to 7.

Where there are special bicycle traffic lights, follow those. Otherwise follow the traffic lights for vehicles, not the pedestrian lights. Some junctions have a green arrow sign just for cyclists, which allows turning right on red after stopping.

Running a red light is one of the most expensive cycling offences (see the fines below), and it rises sharply once the light has been red for more than one second.

You must signal turns clearly and in good time. On a bike, that means stretching out your arm in the direction you are turning, well before the turn.

Your bike must have:

• a white front light and a red rear light. They may be battery-powered and removable, but must be attached and working whenever it is dusk, dark or visibility is poor. Flashing lights are not permitted;
• a white reflector at the front and a red reflector at the back;
• yellow reflectors on the pedals;
• side reflection on both wheels: reflective tyre or rim stripes, reflective spokes or two yellow spoke reflectors per wheel;
• at least one bell. Other sound devices such as horns are not allowed.

All light equipment must be type-approved; look for the approval mark on the product. Riding in the dark without lights costs €20, more if you endanger someone.

• Phones and headphones. Using a phone or other electronic device against the rules while cycling costs €55. You are also responsible for making sure that devices do not impair your hearing, so keep headphones quiet enough to hear traffic.
• Alcohol. Anyone who rides a vehicle, including a bicycle, while unable to do so safely because of alcohol or drugs commits a criminal offence (section 316 of the Criminal Code). If you cycle with a blood alcohol level of 1.6 per mille or more, the driving licence authority must also order a medical-psychological assessment (MPU) before it decides on a driving licence. That can affect your car licence, or your chance of getting one.
• E-bikes. A pedelec whose motor has a continuous rated power of no more than 250 watts and stops assisting at 25 km/h, or when you stop pedalling, counts as a bicycle. Faster e-bikes are motor vehicles under the law, with separate rules.
• Helmets are not compulsory, but the Berlin police strongly recommend wearing one.

Amounts from the federal fine catalogue for the basic offence; most rise if you obstruct, endanger or cause damage.

• Running a red light: €60; with danger to others €100; with damage €120.
• Running a red light that has been red for more than one second: €100; with danger €160; with damage €180.
• Using a phone while cycling: €55.
• Riding on the pavement or other areas not open to vehicles: usually €55; up to €100 with damage.
• Not using a compulsory bike path: €20; up to €35 with damage.
• Riding a bike path in the wrong direction where one exists on your side: €20; up to €35 with damage.
• Riding the wrong way down a one-way street: €20; up to €35 with damage.
• Riding without lights when they are needed: €20.
• Bike without proper lighting equipment: €20; without a bell: €15.

• Lorries and buses turning right. Their drivers often cannot see a cyclist beside or just in front of them (the blind spot, toter Winkel). Never ride up alongside a turning lorry; stop behind it and wait. By law, lorries over 3.5 tonnes must turn right at walking pace in built-up areas when cyclists may be riding straight on.
• Passing distance. Motor vehicles must keep at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists in towns, and 2 metres outside towns. You do not have to ride in the gutter to make room.
• Parked cars. Keep enough distance from parked cars that a suddenly opened door cannot hit you.
• Be visible. Use lights even at dusk and wear something bright or reflective in the dark.
• Tram tracks. Cross them at as steep an angle as possible; wheels can get caught in the groove.

The Berlin police recommend:

• Always lock your bike, even for a short stop, to a fixed object such as a bike stand, lamp post or railing, locking the frame and at least one wheel. Use a high-quality lock; bike shops can advise.
• Park in busy, visible, well-lit places, and vary where you park.
• Remove or separately secure expensive parts, and consider replacing quick-release fasteners.
• Keep a bike passport (Fahrradpass): frame number, make, model, colour, special features and photos. You need these details for a police report and an insurance claim.
• Police bike marking (Fahrradkennzeichnung): the Berlin police attach a weather-resistant, individually numbered sticker that cannot simply be peeled off, and store your bike and contact details so it can be returned if found. The service is free. Bring the bike, your passport or ID card and usually proof of ownership such as the receipt; minors need written parental consent. Dates are published in the police events calendar.

1. Report it to the police, in person or through the online police station, with your bike passport details.
2. Search the police database of found bikes on the Berlin police website. If you recognise yours, contact the police station named there with the case number.
3. Watch online marketplaces, where stolen bikes often reappear, and report anything you find to the police instead of confronting the seller. The same applies to a GPS tracker location.
4. If you have household contents insurance (Hausratversicherung), check whether bike theft is covered and report it to your insurer quickly.

You can take a bike on the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, trams and regional trains when there is space, with a bike ticket; buses do not carry bikes except the night buses N1 to N9. The public transport guide has the details and prices.

Bike-sharing services also operate in Berlin. BVG's Jelbi app combines public transport with sharing services, so you can compare options in one place. Check each provider's prices and terms yourself, including where you may leave a bike.