The city council of Lindau decided to increase the share of bicycles on the city’s roads as part of its climate-friendly mobility strategy. Today, cycles already make up 27 percent of all traffic, while public transport accounts for 6 percent, walking for 18 percent and individual motor transport for 49 percent. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, cycling and e-bikes have boomed in Lindau, which is situated on the shore of Lake Constance and has been a very popular domestic holiday destination for cyclists also before the pandemic. The existing cycling infrastructure is reaching its limits and traffic safety has become an issue. In addition, the city lacks suitable parking facilities for bikes, which are necessary to prevent them from blocking roads, pavements and curbs.

Lindau is expanding the network of cycle lanes in the city, including the very popular long-distance bike path along the shore of Lake Constance. The municipality received funding from the German federal government for this project. The city took into account that it is not enough to build new cycle lanes, but that it is also necessary to provide parking space for bicycles. In addition, more service stations are needed.

The city put up bike hubs, which are mobile bicycle parking facilities in modular sea containers. Each container provides parking space for 22 bicycles. They can be moved to wherever they are needed; for example, they can be sited at the entrance to festivals or popular tourist attractions. At times when they are not needed, such as winter, they can be stored away. Each container features the city logo as part of its design.

Municipalities have to make use of the momentum created by the Covid-19 pandemic and sustain people’s motivation to ride a bike. Cycle lanes make Lindau calmer, safer and more attractive. However, more cycling infrastructure is still needed.

Citizens support the climate-friendly mobility strategy because it was developed through a participatory approach.