To bike or not to bike: Where are children and young people allowed to ride their bikes?

Shopping, school or a big bike trip: your child is enthusiastic about bikes and you take them on tours as often as possible - that's a good thing!

If you don't live between forest and meadow, sooner or later you won't be able to avoid taking part in traffic. It goes without saying, hopefully, that your child is familiar with the usual traffic rules.
But: Where do children actually have to or are allowed to move in traffic? Cycle path yes or no and if so, at what age? Do different rules apply if there is an accompanying person? Until when are children still allowed to ride on the sidewalk?
Questions about questions – we provide you with the answers in this article.

Ages 8 and younger: Get on the sidewalk
Before the 8th birthday there is only one option: the sidewalk.
Since beginner cyclists are primarily still preoccupied with themselves and cycling itself, they are usually not yet able to correctly assess the traffic. For this reason, children under eight must only ride on the sidewalk. Bicycle paths may only be used if they are structurally clearly separated from the street. When crossing streets (via a pedestrian crossing!) the bike must be pushed. Important: Pedestrians have priority on the sidewalk.

From the age of 8: spoiled for choice
From now on, children are free to choose whether they want to ride on the street and cycle path, or whether they want to continue using the sidewalk. Both are permitted.
From the age of 10: Hello, traffic
Finally “grown up”! From now on, using the sidewalk is a thing of the past and children have to ride their bikes on the bike path or street.
From the age of 16: Would you like to be accompanied?
From this age onwards, teens can take responsibility themselves and can accompany younger children when cycling. If they are younger than eight years, the accompanying person is allowed to ride on the sidewalk with the child.
Attention: Only one person is allowed to accompany you on the sidewalk. Additional adults must use the bike path or the street.

READING TIP: In our article “Safely cycling to primary school etc.” we show what shouldn’t be missing on the way to school. Read more here https://www.scool.de/itm/sicher-durch-den-strassenverkehr/