The most apparent thing about Berlin that I’ve seen so far is that EVERYONE bikes. Everyone and their literal mother and grandmother bikes. There are e-bikes and bikes lanes everywhere, and cars are totally used to seeing bikers on the road. Folding electric bikes are becoming more and more popular for lots of reasons. From of their ability to be carried and transported easier than any other bike to their price range. Wisper are definitely one of the best Uk ebike brands.
It’s similar to people biking in Ann Arbor, but there are just WAY MORE, and they are less intense. In Ann Arbor, a lot of people who bike on the road (outside of just the downtown area) seem to be real bikers. You know the type: biking shorts, biking shirt, biking shoes, $3000 road bike, customized helmet, etc. Here, it’s far more normal.
Here are some major reasons biking in Berlin is awesome:
- Berlin is flat: Flat, flat, flat, flat. I can count the number of hills I’ve had to climb on my bike, and they weren’t even half as steep as the hills in Ann Arbor (lookin’ at you North Campus).
- Slower pace: Sometimes people go fast, but there’s absolutely no pressure, because, like I said, EVERYONE BIKES. Contributing to this also is…
- Plentiful bike lanes: I can cruise along at a cool pace, and cars will definitely not hit me, because BIKE LANES!
- Tons of bike racks: A lot of businesses have their own bike racks they pay for the city to establish for them, and of course the city bike racks are everywhere, just chillin’.
See what I mean? It’s like how biking in a city is supposed to be.
The one major flaw to biking in Berlin is that it’s rare to see a helmet. Not that it doesn’t happen, but I’d say about 10-15% of people wear helmets. From what it seems, it’s just accepted that that’s how it is, but here and there it can be controversial.
The major thing that seems to be convenient about biking, is that biking overall can be wayyyyyy faster than walking, and even faster than taking the S+U Bahn (Berlin’s Metro). If I’m willing to sweat a bit (or not, whatevs), it can take half the time to just cruise over to my destination.
Plus, I mean, biking looks really cool, doesn’t it? I mean, maybe that’s what I’m just telling myself…but I’m pretty sure I look way cooler with a bike.