Faster than traffic jams: Why bikes beat cars in the city
For a long time, the car was considered the king of mobility. But in German cities, the tide is turning: e-bikes and bikes often reach their destination faster than cars stuck in traffic. Here are a few figures that surprised even us—and show why more and more commuters are switching to two wheels.
The reality of traffic jams in German cities
The figures vary depending on the study, but the problem is the same everywhere: German drivers spend too much time stuck in traffic jams. According to the TomTom Traffic Index, commuters in Berlin lose an average of 55 hours per year due to slow-moving traffic, in Stuttgart 53 hours, and in Munich 52 hours. Nationwide, however, the average is still very high at 40 hours. (Source: inrix)
The reason for the different figures: while some studies only measure pure congestion time, others also take into account delays caused by heavier traffic. The fact is that the situation is getting worse. Düsseldorf, for example, recorded an increase of 22 percent compared to 2023, and nationwide, there were 3 hours more in 2024 than in the previous year. These time losses cost the German economy a total of 3.2 billion euros per year.
Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin: 20 km/h is not uncommon
In der bayerischen Landeshauptstadt erreichen Autos zur Stoßzeit nur noch 18 km/h Durchschnittsgeschwindigkeit. Für eine 7-Kilometer-Strecke durch München braucht ein Auto zur Rushhour etwa 35 Minuten – mit Parkplatzsuche. Mit dem E-Bike schaffen Sie die gleiche Strecke konstant in 20 Minuten.
Berlins Autoverkehr bewegt sich im Berufsverkehr mit durchschnittlich 18,2n km/h.
Radfahrende dagegen rollen konstant mit 15-20 km/h und können Wege ohne Stau und weniger roten Ampeln wählen, also einfacher verstopfte Straßen umfahren. Das macht den Unterschied.
Hamburg zeigt die extremste Variante: Mit 23 Minuten und 50 Sekunden für 10 Kilometer hat Hamburg die niedrigste Autodurchschnittsgeschwindigkeit Deutschlands (Quelle: Spiegel). Hier sind Bikerinnen und Biker oft deutlich schneller.
E-bikes: the game changer for commuters
In 2024, over 2.2 million e-bikes were sold in Germany – more than half of all new bikes sold are now e-bikes. The reason: a groundbreaking study by the University of Wuppertal shows that 63 percent of e-bike kilometers replace car trips. For normal bikes, the figure is only 20 percent. (Source: taz)
E-bikes travel at speeds of up to 25 km/h (with pedal assistance), making them often the fastest means of transportation from door to door in the city – especially on the typical 3-7 km routes that account for over 40 percent of all car journeys in large cities. (Source: Federal Environment Agency)
Heidelberg leads the way: one-third of residents bike
Baden-Württemberg shows how the transport revolution works: 33 percent of all journeys are made by bikes – a significant increase compared to 2013. At the same time, the share of car traffic fell from 29 percent (2018) to 24 percent (2023).
Particularly noteworthy: 36.8 percent of households in Heidelberg no longer own a car. The share of e-bikes rose from 4.2 percent (2018) to 12.4 percent (2023) (source: City of Heidelberg).
The 5-kilometer rule: Here, the bike beats every car
The Federal Environment Agency has determined that over 40 percent of all car journeys in major German cities are shorter than five kilometers. This is precisely where bikes play a role. While cars struggle through traffic, cyclists take direct routes.
Plus points for bikes:
- No need to search for parking (saves an average of 8 minutes per trip)
- Direct routes via bike paths and shortcuts
- Constant speed without traffic jams
Save time and stay healthy
In addition to saving time, cycling offers other benefits: riding a (e-)bike every day reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by 46 percent (source: BMJ). While drivers lose billions every year due to traffic jams, cyclists invest in their health—and still get there faster.
The average commute time in Germany is 28.3 minutes each way. Biking can often shorten this time – and make better use of it (source: allianzdirect).
Get into the fast lane now.
With over 250,000 different bikes in the Deutsche Dienstrad MobilityHub, you'll find the perfect companion for your commute. Whether it's an e-bike for longer distances or a sporty city bike, thanks to company bike leasing, you'll save up to 40 percent and get to your destination faster than in traffic. Discover your new mobility now and leave your car at home more often.