Cycling rules and fines
Fahrradregeln
Cyclists in Germany pay fines for red lights, phones, missing lights and riding on the footpath.
The rule
Ride on the cycle path if there is one marked as compulsory, otherwise on the road, on the right. The footpath is for pedestrians, except for children under 10 or where a sign says "Radfahrer frei".
Use your lights when it is dark or visibility is poor: white at the front, red at the back, and reflectors.
Do not hold your phone while riding. A holder on the handlebars is fine if you only glance at it.
Red means stop for cyclists too. If there is no cycle traffic light, follow the light for cars.
Alcohol: from 1.6 per mille, cycling is a criminal offence even without any mistake; from 0.3 per mille it is one if you ride unsafely. It can cost you your driving licence too.
A helmet is not compulsory, but strongly recommended.
What it costs
| If you… | Fine or cost |
|---|---|
| Red light | €60 (more than 1 second red: €100), plus 1 point |
| Holding a phone while riding | €55 |
| Riding without the required lights | €20 |
| Riding on the footpath | €25 (more if you block or endanger someone) |
| Riding drunk (1.6 per mille or more) | criminal case, fine, points, possibly a medical-psychological test (MPU) |
India vs Germany
In India, two-wheelers go wherever there is space. In Germany, cyclists get the same red-light points in Flensburg as drivers, and police do check lights in winter evenings.
German words for this
- der Radweg · cycle path
- der Gehweg · footpath
- die Ampel · traffic light
- das Licht · light
- der Helm · helmet
Official sources
- Bußgeldkatalog-Verordnung, Anlage (Nr. 107.4, 132a, 141.4)
- ADAC: rules and fines for cyclists
- ADAC: alcohol limit on a bicycle
Last checked: 8 November 2026, against the official sources named on each page. General information for learners, not legal advice: rules can change and some depend on your state or city. If something matters for you, check the official source or ask the office.
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