The walking‑pedestrians’ association Fuss e.V. is calling for stricter penalties for cyclists who ride on sidewalks.
Board member Roland Stimpel, quoted by the Rheinische Post, said that the spring “bike boom” brings mixed emotions. “It’s welcome to see all those who travel quietly, emission‑free and relatively slowly on the road or in a bike lane” he explained. Yet he warned that “more and more cyclists now stray onto sidewalks and green walking paths”.
He urges riders to stay off the pavements – which are usually prohibited anyway. “Heavy traffic and hard‑surface roads give no excuse for sidewalk riding. If you want to avoid it, you can push a little further or choose a different route” Stimpel added.
While many cyclists are cautious, Stimpel says that reckless and hurried riders need more checks and ideally heftier fines. In France, for instance, the penalty for riding on a sidewalk can reach €135, according to the expert.