FAQ - Frequently asked questions

We receive many inquiries about problems, ideas or the search for contact persons. Here we try to collect the most important questions and answers.

In the case of problems, it is often the small things that annoy in everyday life. In many cases, you can achieve a lot with a brief note to those responsible and we will tell you who you can contact.

If you have any further ideas about the contents of this list, feel free to contact us Contacts at ADFC Wiesbaden/Rheingau-Taunus

engaging
How can I promote cycling and get involved?

Welcome to ADFC Wiesbaden / Rheingau Taunus. We are happy about new people, young and old, who participate and bring in fresh ideas.
The first point of contact is the active meeting point every 1. Monday of the month in the office Goebenstraße 1 in Wiesbaden.
But you can also contact us at the bike wardrobe at the Stadtfest, at coding campaigns, bike tours, the Critical Mass. We are also happy about parents with children who are involved in the Kidical Mass. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested info@adfc-wiesbaden.de
Many cyclists, large or small, make cycling safer because they increase the visibility of the means of transport.

What is a bicycle wardrobe?

The bicycle wardrobe is a place where I can hand in my bike and it is guarded by honorary or full-time officials. It works like the cloakroom in the theatre: drop off your jacket and get a fairytale. At the Stadtfest (Autumn Market), the ADFC Wiesbaden usually offers a bicycle wardrobe on a voluntary basis. You can also get information about cycling in the area and the ADFC. In summer, usually from April, it takes place on Saturdays on the edge of the Dern’sche Gelände and is operated by the city of Wiesbaden.
We are always looking for volunteers who are happy to help make the bike wardrobe possible at the city festival. If you would like to participate here, you can info@adfc-wiesbaden.de report.

Infrastructure & Transport policy
What can I do with false parking on bike and sidewalks or in intersection areas?

For longer standing false parking spaces, we recommend calling the police so that the vehicles are towed. Short-term parking ends can be displayed privately, for example. All information can be found on www.wiesbaden.de. The procedure is clearly listed under the heading ‘Regulatory offences in road traffic’.

How can I remove obstacles such as squeegees or unrecessed curb edges?

About the Reporting platform for cycling Obstacles such as pressure grates, circulation barriers or not sufficiently lowered curb edges can be reported.
After specifying the position, you can use a selection field or free text to report the disturbing thrust grid or another obstacle under the category ‘Object hinders cycling’. Please add meaningful photos of the situation on site. This helps to process your message.

Where can I report the need for public bicycle storage facilities?

About the Reporting platform for cycling You can report simple missing storage facilities.
After specifying the position, you can use a selection field or free text to describe where a new bicycle parking system would be necessary. Please add meaningful photos of the situation on site. This helps the bike office to process your message.

How can I have scrap wheels removed, e.g. from public parking brackets?

In Wiesbaden, bikes that are obviously no longer in use or are completely broken can be reported. The notification can be sent via the ‘Müllhotline’ on phone 0611 31-9222 or via the ‘Sauberes Wiesbaden’ smartphone app. After checking whether it is really garbage, defective wheels are removed from the public space by the waste disposal company.
More information and the link to the app can be found at www.wiesbaden.de.

Where can I report flooded or icy bike paths?

Where can I report missing/broken road signs or potholes/root run breaks?

For the reporting of potholes, the city of Wiesbaden has its own web form Report pothole. Potholes are usually repaired the next working day.
Damage to traffic signs and other parts of the public infrastructure can be passed on to the municipal civil engineering office by e-mail to Tiefbauamt.bau-erhaltung@wiesbaden.de.

What can I do with overgrown cycle paths?

Where can I find recommendations for bicycle storage systems suitable for everyday use for private areas?

Where can I report missing bike paths or unsafe intersections?

About the Reporting platform for cycling You can also report missing bike paths. Keyword: Unclear traffic guidance for cyclists.
Please add meaningful photos of the situation on site. This helps the bike office to process your message.
In addition, it is worth it to the members of your Local advisory board Send an e-mail!

Behaviour in road traffic
What are environmental traces?

As a measure of the Hessian air pollution control plan and to avoid diesel driving bans (Air pollution control plan, Environmental traces) Reorganize traffic in the city. Therefore, so-called environmental traces were created on the first ring. These are wide cycle paths on which buses and taxis are allowed to travel in order to make rapid progress in professional traffic. The remaining traffic may not use these lanes and must observe and pass the traffic coming from behind when turning right. Here, however, caution should be exercised against turning cars.

What should I consider as a cyclist:in urban traffic?

By bicycle or e-scooter, traffic participants should adhere to some important rules of conduct. Due to the so-called ‘Dooring zone’, you should keep a distance from a door length (approx. 1-1.5m) to parked cars. In the event of insufficient distance, partial liability in the event of an accident may be expected. In the best case, an overtaking process should be announced by a short hand signal and the subsequent traffic should be observed. Equally important is a road-safe bicycle.
Please use cycle paths only on the right side of the road, unless it is signposted accordingly, and do not use them as ‘Geisterradler:in’. Many motorists do not expect you otherwise and because of the narrow cycle paths, there are also sometimes serious accidents between cyclists.

What are the rules for taking bicycles on buses and trains?

Bicycle transport is free of charge throughout the RMV area. You can find all the details on the Website of the RMV.
The take-away in Wiesbaden buses is basically also possible and free of charge for the bike. Important: Prams or people in wheelchairs have priority when taking them with you. As a rule, the bus driver has the ‘household right’ (see also: ESWE Transport Carry-On Regulations) and in case of doubt can ask you to leave the bus with your bike.
In the case of the adjacent transport associations, a look at the regulations should be taken before the start of the journey, as the conditions may differ from those in the RMV.

What should I do in the event of an accident?

First of all, regardless of the means of transport, you should look for injured persons and the protection of the accident site. Then, in case of personal injury, call 112 (not 110!) and report a traffic accident. Internally, the police are then automatically alerted so that the accident can be recorded and documented on site. Caution: In most cases, accident participants are in shock for a while and do not feel major injuries (even fractures or the like!) as a result. It's better to go to the hospital and have it checked out! You will receive a ‘VU number’ (traffic accident number) from the police, through which, for example, the insurance companies can later regulate damage.
Even if there are no injured or you have fallen alone, you should contact the police, e.g. the local police station, inform and have the accident recorded. This means that the accident is included in the official statistics and damage discovered afterwards can also be regulated if everything has been recorded on site. In addition, the city can only react to accidents (e.g. with the conversion of intersections) that have been officially reported and are included in the accident statistics.

Who can help me if I can't ride a bike or I'm not sure yet?

Bicycle technology
Where can I get help with a flat tire?

There are several repair stations in the city of Wiesbaden. As a rule, of course, every bike shop in the city should help you, if in doubt, ask other cyclists on the road for the next workshop.
If you are an ADFC member, you can also ADFC roadside assistance use. Call the 24-hour hotline at +49 (0)221 82779422, they will help you there.
Only flat tires are excluded from the roadside assistance if they can be managed again by simply inflating them.

What does my bike need to be roadworthy?

Your bike is allowed on the road if it has the following equipment:
a light-toning bell/bell
Front light & rear (night dynamo, battery-powered lighting, dynamo on the impeller)
Reflectors – white front, red rear
well-functioning and easily accessible brakes separated from each other
yellow or orange reflectors on the pedals (front and rear)
indirect lighting on both tires, e.g. a continuous reflective tape on the coats, two yellow reflectors in each of the reservoirs or spoke reflectors on each spoke (click reflectors)

Bicycle theft
What can I do to prevent my bike from being stolen?

There are several ways to have fun with your own bike for as long as possible:
Use high-quality locks, with particularly high-quality wheels also two different types, e.g. an iron-on lock and a chain lock of another brand (on the side of the ADFC Federal Association you will find a Overview of different types of bicycle locks)
Have your bike coded
Always lock your bike, even at short stops, such as the bakery
If you take out a theft insurance (e.g. through the household contents insurance), the damage will be regulated if your bike is ultimately stolen

What should I do if my bike has been stolen?

Unfortunately, the chances of getting your bike back are low. Nevertheless, it is advisable in any case to report the theft to the state police. Thus, the case goes into the official statistics and increases the pressure on the investigative authorities.
The message works both conveniently around the clock online And, of course, on everyone Police station in the city (regardless of the location of the theft).
You should be able to describe the wheel as precisely as possible and above all have the frame number at hand. The wheel is then advertised for search.

Legal
Do I have to use bike paths? If so, which ones?

The ADFC Hamburg has the basic rules here nicely summarized.
Basically, people have to use the roadway with their vehicles, i.e. also bicycles. According to the Road Traffic Regulations, only those cycle paths that are marked with a blue round sign (cycle path, common walking and cycling path, separate walking and cycling path) are ‘subject to use’. These signs may only be placed where it is too dangerous for cyclists on the road. In addition, the bike path must also lead in the direction in which you want to drive and be, for example, from the surface and routing in such a way that you can drive it safely.
However, all other paths (e.g. those with a bicycle pictogram on the ground or sidewalks with a sign “Cycling free”) must not be used.
Pure walkways without this additional sign may not be used.
Can you cycle side by side or ride hands-free?

Cyclists are allowed to ride side by side on the road if this does not hinder the rest of the traffic. In designated ‘bicycle roads’, cyclists are always allowed to cycle side by side.
From 16 cyclers on, one is considered to be a ‘closed association’. Cars must then stay behind the cyclists if there is not enough space to overtake.
Hands-free driving, on the other hand, poses a traffic risk and is not allowed in Germany.
The details can be found on the page of the ADFC Federal Association summarized.

Rent, buy and donate bicycles
Where can I rent bicycles or cargo bikes?

Where can I buy used bicycles?

Where can I donate bicycles that I no longer ride?

If you have a bicycle that is basically roadworthy, but is no longer used, you can send it to the club in Wiesbaden. tailwind Donate. Tailwind brings such bicycles back into action and makes them available to refugees, for example.
In addition, wheels can be cyclists Donated at the Central Station.

Bike tours & Bike tours
What bike tours and bike groups are there in Wiesbaden?

We offer various Day trips on different topics and with different levels of difficulty. All information can be found in our extensive Tour program.
In addition, there are with the Wednesday cyclists:inside and the Road bike group two tour groups in our district association.

When will the Critical Mass take place in Wiesbaden?

The Critical Mass Wiesbaden takes place every third Friday of the month. Start is always at 18:30.
rendezvous Since the beginning of 2025, it has been the place of German unity between the Elly-Heuss-Schule and the police station.
Further information can be found on the Website of Critical Mass Wiesbaden.

Where can I find information and partners for cycling trips?

Cycling with children
When can my child cycle?

There is no fixed basic rule as to when a child can or should ride a bicycle. In principle, it is recommended to start as early as possible with a walker bike without pedals and then directly on an age-appropriate children's bike without support wheels to change. The children often learn the correct weight shifting and steering through support wheels.

When can/can my child cycle to kindergarten/school?

Basically, the child must be physically and psychologically able to travel the path safely. However, there is no minimum age, only the parents decide on the suitability. Schools also have no say. Should a school or similar try to impose a ban, please feel free to join us. us or the Cycling office in connection.
More information can be found on the website of the ADFC Federal Association under the keyword By bike to school.

Where can I find suitable children's bikes?

A good place to buy used children's bikes are the ADFC Bicycle Exchanges.
Under www.kinderradfinder.de You will find a market overview of light and high-quality children's and youth bikes based on the specified body dimensions of the child. The search for a suitable wheel has thus become much easier. The list can be filtered according to different bike types, such as mountain bike or city bike, as well as the circuit, the brakes and many other criteria.

Are there cycling events for children?

Organized in Wiesbaden School sports club different events and offers for children and young people.
At the Kidical Mass in Wiesbaden The ADFC allows children, adolescents and adults to cycle through the city together as a bicycle demo three times a year. The event is secured by the police and accompanied by the medical service.

Miscellaneous
What is a ghost bike and why are these white bikes in town?

Ghostbikes (German: Ghost wheels) stand at intersections and other places in the city and are reminiscent of cyclists killed in traffic. They are also available in Wiesbaden and the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis.
Ghostbikes stand worldwide as a monument and memorial at accident sites and are sometimes decorated with flowers and candles. Once a year, the Ride of Silence takes place as a memorial. At this bicycle demonstration you also visit ghost bikes to commemorate the people who can no longer cycle with us.