Cycling together for the climate

Anyone who lives, works, attends school or belongs to a club in Chemnitz can take part. It doesn’t matter whether the bike is used for commuting to work, travelling to school, going shopping or for leisure. Every kilometre cycled counts.

Mayor Sven Schulze is also looking forward to the event: “City Cycling thrives on participation. Whether on the way to work, school, the shops or in your free time – every kilometre counts. I’d be delighted if as many people in Chemnitz as possible took part, so that together we can send a strong message in support of climate action, physical activity and cycling in our city.”

Taking part in City Cycling is free of charge. Anyone interested can set up their own team, join an existing one or cycle as part of the City of Chemnitz’s open team. The kilometres cycled can be recorded via the City Cycling app or entered online at a later date. A kilometre log is available for participants without internet access. In 2025, a total of 3,649 cyclists in 209 teams took part in the campaign and covered 705,741 kilometres by bike. This means they prevented around 116 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions.

On Sunday 13 September, the third Chemnitz City Cycling Rally will get underway under the slogan ‘11 routes. One destination.’ Eleven routes of varying lengths will set off from Chemnitz and the surrounding region, all leading to the Sattelfest at the Jutta Müller Ice Sports Centre. At the finish, participants in the rally will welcome the cyclists of the European Peace Ride to Chemnitz. After arrival, joint laps of the ice rink are planned.

The options range from shorter, family-friendly routes and inclusive tours to longer routes for active cyclists. The individual tours are organised on a voluntary basis by ‘Stadtradeln’ supporters, in collaboration with Athletics Sonnenberg, the Verkehrsclub Deutschland and ‘entspannt vorwärts inklusiv’.

Participation in the rally is free of charge. Advance registration is required. Information on the starting points, routes and start times, as well as the registration form, can be found at www.chemnitz.de/stadtradeln.

Closing ride

On Thursday, 17 September, the group cycle tour #chemnitzdrehtamradtour will take place. It starts at 5 pm at Chemnitz Central Station. Registration is not required. The route, which is around 16 kilometres long, will be cycled at a slow and considerate pace. Some sections of the route are unpaved. The ride is particularly suitable for families with children aged eight and over, and anyone who would like to explore Chemnitz at a leisurely pace together by bike. The ride will once again be accompanied by the police and the public order office.

Once again this year, ‘Stadtradeln’ stars are supporting the campaign and sharing their personal experiences of cycling. Taking part this year are Thomas Kütter, the councillor responsible for planning and construction, Denise and Christian.

Thomas Kütter, the City Councillor for Building and Urban Development (pictured at the top of the page), has been supporting City Cycling as an active participant for several years. He has been cycling since childhood. Today, he particularly values the sense of balance it brings after a busy day at work, and he also enjoys cycling on his mountain bike or road bike in his spare time. By taking part, he hopes to encourage others to cycle more often in their daily lives. For him, Chemnitz, as a city where everything is within easy reach, offers ideal conditions for this. At the same time, he believes it is important to further develop the cycle path network and close any gaps. The ‘Stadtradeln’ campaign highlights just how many people are already cycling and thus brings cycling more into the spotlight.

Denise Labude loves nothing more than riding her gravel bike or mountain bike. For her, cycling means freedom, a sporting balance to office work and a chance to experience nature. At the same time, she finds cycling a practical alternative to the car for short journeys. She particularly enjoys cycling along the Kappelbach Cycle Route, the Premium Cycle Route, and the Chemnitz Valley and Coal Railway Cycle Routes. This is her second year taking part in the City Cycling event, and she hopes her participation will help raise awareness of cycling and potential improvements.

Christian Dreko has been using an electric handbike for around two years. The bike allows him to enjoy independent mobility and go on outings with his child. For him, City Cycling demonstrates that cycling can take many different forms and that cycling should be accessible to as many people as possible. By taking part, he hopes to bring this perspective to the campaign.