This month, Mobycon consultant Robin van der Griend had the chance to join a trade mission to Baden-Württemberg, Germany, organized by the Dutch Cycling Embassy (DCE), the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO), and Velo_Konzept. This journey offered a fascinating at the state of cycling infrastructure and urban planning in Germany, moving from bold innovation to unexpected infrastructural challenges.
This trade mission took Robin through three cities: Tübingen, Stuttgart, and Heidelberg. The experiences in each location paint a vivid picture of the progress being made and the hurdles still facing German cities in their pursuit of the mobility transition.
The visit to Tübingen left Robin feeling inspired. The city is embracing a refreshing approach to urban planning, choosing to focus on new solutions rather than getting stuck on limitations. Some prime examples of this are:
However, even in this innovative city, some challenges became apparent. The demands of federal funding (Fördermittel) often dictate infrastructural choices, rather than the needs on the ground. Like in Rheine, Tübingen is building bicycle streets (Fahrradstraßen) in places that actually need separated pedestrian and cycle paths, simply because funding is available for one and not the other. This leads to weird situations, like this one Robin stumbled upon:
Visiting Stuttgart provided a shocking contrast. To walk from the train station, it already took twenty minutes just to find a crosswalk over the huge six-lane street that separates the train station from the city center. This infrastructural barrier served as a reminder that, despite progress, car-centric situations still dominate.
Fortunately, the walking tour with the cycle team was a more positive experience. With an enthusiastic guide, they visited some early attempts at a bicycle street with a modal filter, a cute heart-shaped bicycle stand in front of the marriage office, and the Superblock Versuch at Augustenstraße.
The final stop was Heidelberg for the RadKongress.BW. It was great to reconnect with the team of the City of Heidelberg. They proudly described the development of their Radstrategie together with Mobycon, and they won the Landespreis Radinfrastuktur Baden-Württemberg for one of their projects. A nice compliment to their work.
The journey through Baden-Württemberg highlights the need for a clear strategy. At Mobycon, we believe that cycling is not a goal in itself. Instead, cycling is an evident tool that can support climate change mitigation, improvement of the quality of public spaces, ensure public health, support the economic vitality of a place, and so much more. Does your city need a strategic partner to realize its cycling potential? Contact one of our advisors so we can make it happen!
Ready to tackle the challenges of re-ordering mobility head-on? Join Mobycon in Aachen for an interactive workshop on November 6, 2025. With examples from Gent, Eindhoven, Aachen, and more, you’ll meet colleagues, swap ideas, and develop practical solutions you can take back to your own city. Register now!
