This year’s STADTRADELN campaign in Chemnitz has once again ended with record-breaking results. From 31 August to 20 September, the people of Chemnitz were encouraged to cycle as much as possible and work together to rack up kilometres.
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 travelling by car
Chemnitz has thus set new records for both the number of active cyclists and the kilometres cycled. Compared with the previous year, the number of active cyclists 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 more kilometres than the previous year.
This trend is particularly evident when comparing recent years: in 2024, 2,181 active cyclists took part in STADTRADELN in Chemnitz; by 2025, this figure had risen to 3,649. In 2026, this 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 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 single year. Together, the school teams covered 237,154 kilometres. In the previous year, the figure was around 225,285 kilometres.
Winners 2026 in Chemnitz
| Category | Team/Person | Kilometres |
| Most active cyclist (Person with the most kilometres cycled) | Leonie Reichel, TRI Community SG Adelsberg & Triathlon Chemnitz | 1,555.4 |
| The most active male cyclist (Person with the most kilometres cycled) | Michael Kretzschmar, Kieselstein International GmbH | 2,172.0 |
| The team with the most active cyclists (Team with the most kilometres cycled per person) | BauPlanung Euba | 919.8 |
| The team with the highest total number of kilometres cycled | Johannes Kepler Grammar School | 49,181.1 |
| The nursery with the highest level of cycling activity | Rappelkiste Nursery | 7,256.0 |
| The primary school with the most cycling activity | “Emanuel-Gottlieb-Flemming” Primary School | 12,243.5 |
| The secondary school with the highest level of cycling activity | Chemnitz School Model | 16,438.1 |
| The secondary school with the most cycling activity/ the most cycling-friendly vocational school | Johannes Kepler Grammar School | 49,181.1 |
| The special needs school with the highest level of cycling activity | Terra Nova Campus – The School of Discovery | 14,326.5 |
| The most cycling-active club | Chemnitz Montessori Association | 13,474.0 |
| The company most active in cycling | Chemnitz Hospital | 14,414.8 |
Highlights 2026
As well as clocking up kilometres, this year’s focus was once again on joint cycling activities. A highlight was the STADTRADELN rally on 13 September under the slogan “11 rides. One destination.” 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. Afterwards, the cyclists rode a lap of the stadium together. 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 even greater emphasis on inclusive cycling.
To mark the end of STADTRADELN, on 17 September the #chemnitzdrehtamradtour saw everyone cycle through the city together once more. 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 together were invited to join in.
Awards ceremony on 4 November
The most successful cyclists, teams and organisations will be honoured on Wednesday 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 have covered at least 50 kilometres during the campaign period.
Background
STADTRADELN is organised by the City of Chemnitz’s Environment Department and forms part of the Climate Alliance’s international cycling campaign.