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City Cycling ends with a new record

This year’s ‘Stadtradeln’ campaign in Chemnitz has come to an end with new records set. From 31 August to 20 September, the people of Chemnitz were encouraged to cycle as much as possible and to collect kilometres together. Now that the deadline for submitting additional data has passed, the final result is in:

  • 4,882 active cyclists
  • 201 teams
  • 762,411 kilometres
  • around 125 tonnes of CO₂ avoided compared to car journeys

Chemnitz has thus set new records both in terms of the number of active cyclists and the kilometres cycled. Compared with the previous year, the number of active participants rose by 1,233, or around 34 per cent. A new record was also set for the number of kilometres cycled, with around 56,670 additional kilometres.
This trend is particularly evident when comparing figures from recent years: in 2024, 2,181 people took part in ‘Stadtradeln’ in Chemnitz; by 2025, the number of active cyclists had risen to 3,649. In 2026, the figure rose to 4,882. This means that participation has more than doubled within two years.

Significantly higher participation from Chemnitz schools

Participation from Chemnitz’s schools has risen particularly sharply. In 2026, 30 school teams took part, with a total of 2,587 active cyclists. In the previous year, 28 school teams took part, with 1,503 active cyclists. This means the number of active cyclists in the school teams rose by more than 1,000 – or around 72 per cent – within a year. Together, the school teams covered 237,154 kilometres. The previous year’s total was around 225,285 kilometres.

Winners in Chemnitz

The following achievements and teams are being honoured this year:

  • Most active female cyclist: Leonie Reichel with 1,555.4 kilometres
  • The most active male cyclist: Michael Kretzschmar with 2,172 kilometres
  • The team with the most active cyclists: BauPlanung Euba, with 919.8 kilometres per person
  • The team with the highest total number of kilometres cycled: Johannes-Kepler-Gymnasium with 49,181.1 kilometres
  • The most active nursery in terms of cycling: Kita Rappelkiste with 7,256 kilometres
  • The primary school with the most cycling: ‘Emanuel-Gottlieb-Flemming’ Primary School with 12,243.5 kilometres
  • The secondary school with the highest cycling activity: Chemnitzer Schulmodell with 16,438.1 kilometres
  • The grammar school/vocational school with the highest cycling activity: Johannes Kepler Grammar School with 49,181.1 kilometres
  • The special school with the highest cycling activity: Terra Nova Campus – Die Entdeckerschule, with 14,326.5 kilometres
  • The most cycling-active association: Montessoriverein Chemnitz with 13,474 kilometres
  • The company with the highest cycling activity: Chemnitz Hospital with 14,414.8 kilometres

Highlights 2026

As well as clocking up kilometres, joint cycling activities were once again the focus this year. One highlight was the ‘Stadtradeln’ rally on 13 September. Cyclists from Chemnitz and the surrounding region set off from eleven different directions towards the Jutta Müller Ice Sports Centre. Around 150 ‘Stadtradeln’ participants gathered there at the finish line and met up with the peloton of the European Peace Ride. Also taking part were cyclists from ‘Entspannt Vorwärts Inklusiv’, who had also been on the road for three days. As a result, this year’s rally placed a greater emphasis on inclusive cycling.
To mark the end of City Cycling, everyone cycled through the city together once more on 17 September as part of the #chemnitzdrehtamradtour. The roughly 13-kilometre-long ride started at Chemnitz Central Station and wound its way through Chemnitz at a leisurely pace. Families, people with disabilities and anyone who wanted to enjoy a relaxed cycle ride together were invited to join in.

Awards ceremony on 4 November

The most successful cyclists, teams and organisations will be honoured on 4 November at the Terra Nova Campus. Mayor Knut Kunze will recognise the winners and present the prizes. In addition, further prizes will be raffled off amongst active everyday cyclists who covered at least 50 kilometres during the campaign period.