If you want a list of bicycle rental agencies go to this page: Bike Rentals. In addition to the self-test, I also discuss purchasing a bike for a one time use.

Self-test. Should you bring your own bike?

One of the big questions you will want to answer right off the bat is whether to bring your own bicycle to Germany or rent one there. It depends. Take this test:

Are you of average build (you can buy your clothes off the rack)? The chances are good that the rental bikes will fit you fairly well. If not, consider bringing your own.
Do you ride long distances at home? Then you probably are fussy about how a bike fits and chances are you will not like the rental bikes. If you don’t ride much, you will not know the difference and the rental bikes will be fine.
Do you have a trick knee or an extra tender rear? You’ll probably have trouble with any bike -- even your own. Just bring your own pedals and your own saddle.
Are you afraid of the cost? Rental bikes cost about €3 to €14 per day depending upon the quality, type and the availability.
Are you bringing much baggage? The airlines limit on checked bags seems to change frequently. At last check, the International Bicycle Fund (http://www.ibike.org/encouragement/travel/bagregs.htm) posted that boxed bikes cost $300 (Air France, KLM) to $500 (Lufthansa) and $600 (Delta). That is each way so double it for a round trip. See how to purchase your own bike below.
Are you nuts? Bringing your own bike is a huge hassle for 5 to 10 days of easy riding. Just read the information below about how to pack or box your bike and get it through customs.
Want to know what to bring in any event? Your own helmet and gloves for safety. Perhaps you should bring your own saddle and pedals if you are fussy. And check the What to Bring list for other items to consider.
Finding a bike rental business near where you want to start your tour is not as easy as it once was. Low margins and bike theft are two of the culprits. Therefore, I have a separate page listing links to businesses that rent bikes in Germany. Unfortunately, this is nowhere near comprehensive so if you are a bike rental business, send me your link. Or, if you know of a bike rental business not on this page, again, send me the information.

Purchasing Bicycles

With the high cost of transporting your own bike over and back on your airline, one starts to consider buying a bicycle in Germany and leaving it there after the tour. Friends have done so and find it only slightly more expensive than renting and a lot more user friendly. If it cost $1,200 over and back on Delta Airlines, why not buy a bike in Germany for €800 and save a few sheckles?

It is easy to purchase a bicycle. The simplest method is to walk into a bicycle shop and buy one already assembled. Of course, it helps if you know the measurements you want before you enter the shop. You can do that by visiting your local shop in your home town and getting professional advice as to which size you need.

Other options are also available. I bought my bike through Tom's Bicycles in Kassel, Germany where we hang out when in Germany ("Tom's" stands for Technik Ohne Motor). Herr Kretschmer is the owner and primary worker bee. You can reach him through his website, http://www.technik-ohne-motor.de/, by email at TechnikOhneMotor@web.de, or by phone from the States, 011-49-561-25082. He speaks English with just a bit of difficulty but you will not have problems if you stick to bicycle terminology. Herr Kretschmer told me he could sell a quality bicycle for €800.00. Pick up your new bike in Kassel at his shop. If you bring it back undamaged, he may even buy it back at a discount or offer to sell it on consignment. You have to work that out with him.

Another purchasing option which may have a bit more flexibility is to contact Stadler a big box type bicycle store in Germany. Here is a quote from Bicycle Europe Blog that is owned by the Bergstrasse Bike Book folks:

"It may be more convenient and even cheaper for a longer trip to buy a cheap bike at the start of the trip and get rid of it at the end. If you have family or friends in Europe this is an easy option, otherwise it could be difficult. You could always give the bike to a church or a charity. Obviously if you are planning to come back the year and have no relatives or friends in Europe after you can try to find a bike shop to leave the bicycle there for the winter. Various of the supermarkets in Germany like Aldi, Real or Lidl, the coffee roasters Tchibo and DIY stores sell their own brand bicycles for prices that one can hardly believe. You can buy a bike for less than 200 Euro. They have one major snag however. Most bike shops won't touch them if repairs become necessary or will charge you serious sums for the privilege of repairing the bike. The best option is to buy a Pegasus bicycle from a purchasing cooperative called ZEG. They sell these bikes through local bicycle shops in Germany, not all but a lot and in the Stadler chain of bike supermarkets. These bikes can normally be obtained for between €300 to €500."

Renting Bicycles

It is relatively easy to rent bikes in Germany if you can find a rental agency. The cost, as I stated, runs from about €10 per day for a single-speed or a three-speed bike to up to €25 per day for a multi-speed touring or mountain bike. Weekly and monthly rates are normally available. In a large city you probably will not need advance reservations for one or two bikes. Check with the service desk at the Bahnhof for the nearest bike rental agency. (I choose to call them agencies but they are not agents of the railroad company, they are actually private businesses that have contracted with the railroad to make the Bahn & Bike program described below possible.) You can also check to see if I have any listed in a city convenient to your travel needs at the Bike Rental page in this site.

The following are my paraphrased translation of items listed as "tips" in the Haupka pamphlet included with each of their BDR Deutsche Rad-Tourenkarte maps:

It is wise to check with the rental agency before your trip so you know the opening times and the price you will be paying.
You will probably need photo ID, such as a passport, there is a damage deposit for most bikes to ensure you return them.
The rental price varies depending on the bike you choose and the policies of the agency. You should know that the cost of damage insurance is included in the rental price. You do not have to pay for additional insurance.
Kids under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
If you are traveling in a group and you are all renting bikes, definitely make your wishes known beforehand.
If you have a reservation, the agency is free to rent the reserved bike or bikes after waiting only 15 minutes beyond the reservation time. So if you are going to be late, you better call.
You have to bring your bikes back. There is no such thing as a one way rental. Having said this, if you really. really want it to happen, ask. Many of these bike agencies know one another personally and they may be able to arrange something for the right price.
If you are going to be late turning the bike back into the agency, just call ahead. It is not normally a problem to extend the rental.
This tip is not in the guide pamphlet but if you do have problems with an agency, talk to the railroad "Service Point" I bet they can straighten things out because of their "economic power."

For additional information about bikes and trains read the Trains page in this web site.

Bring Your Bike With You

There are several considerations. First, unless you plan to abandon it, you also have to bring it back home (remember some airlines charge as much as $250 for each bike each way). Remember too, to save your boxing materials for the return trip. You may have to make special arrangement at a hotel for this.

Next, German Custom officials frown on bringing new bikes into Germany with out paying the duty. So, be prepared to prove that yours is a used bike. Or else they may charge you duty or worse, confiscate it. Also, be prepared to unpack it enough to show them that it is a used bike.

Give yourself plenty of time to get the bike through customs and onto the next form of transportation. Each bike box is heavy (about 40 lbs with packing material) and awkward. We found they do not fit on the escalators in the Frankfurt airport and if there were no elevators, we had to carry them up and down stairs. (I once knocked an overhead directional sign off its mountings by accident. I am sure I endeared myself to the airport maintenance staff with that smooth move.)

Taxi cabs without luggage or bike racks cannot take your bike. You may have to wait for a special (and undoubtedly more expensive) taxi vehicle. Buses can take you but they can be a slow form of public transportation after a five to ten hour flight.

The fastest trains, ICE, will not take bikes, even boxed. You are left with the Intercity and Interregional (Interregio) and local trains. They are somewhat slower but they will get you there. You be asked to pay a small fee for each bike on some trains. Be sure to tell the ticket agent that you have a bike – they will advise you. Also, read the page on Trains.

For detailed information about packing your bike for shipment to Germany on a plane or by other means, check out boxing your bike.

Revised: June 22, 2010