The ADFC Kreisverband Baden-Baden is the regional branch of the Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (German Cyclists’ Federation) for the urban district of Baden-Baden and the Rastatt district. It represents cyclists’ interests to politicians, the local authorities and the police, and offers bike coding, a free cargo bike loan and road safety training for children. It also goes by the name ADFC Baden-Baden·Bühl·Rastatt.[1][2]
Aims and focus
With more than 240,000 members nationwide, the Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club e.V. is the largest organisation representing cyclists in Germany.[3] The district association aims to raise the share of cycling in its area significantly. It takes part in local initiatives and in the committees of towns and municipalities, and lists its main areas of work as traffic and road safety, cycle tours, everyday cycling and commuting, public relations, and theft prevention.[1]
Karlsruhe-Rastatt-Bühl cycle superhighway
A cycle superhighway is planned between Karlsruhe and Rastatt, and an extension to Bühl is considered possible. Several routes competed for the alignment. The option drawn up by the Regionalverband Mittlerer Oberrhein (regional planning association) runs through the villages, past narrow sections, driveways and junctions. The ADFC proposed a route along the construction road of the high-speed railway instead, with far fewer obstacles and hazards. The route that the Regierungspräsidium Karlsruhe (regional government) presented in 2023 largely takes up these ideas.[4]
Rhine crossing at the Iffezheim barrage
The crossing over the Iffezheim barrage into France was closed to cyclists and pedestrians in 2013, after an additional turbine was installed.[4] The district association has been demonstrating for a safe link between the two countries since 2014. At the rally in June 2026, more than 50 cyclists rode across the otherwise closed barrage once the police had stopped traffic, then carried on over the Wintersdorf bridge. The ADFC does not regard the Plittersdorf-Seltz ferry as a reliable alternative, because it does not run at night, in fog, or at high or low water.[2]
Measuring passing distances
Drivers overtaking cyclists must keep a distance of 1.5 metres in built-up areas and 2 metres outside them. To give those responsible hard figures rather than a mere feeling of being unsafe, the district association collects data on actual passing distances. The measurements come from the OpenBikeSensor, a small unit mounted under the saddle that records the sideways distance of overtaking vehicles by ultrasound. Volunteers can borrow one of the 15 devices free of charge for four weeks and contribute measurements from their own routes. The data appear on an ADFC overview map that shows where drivers often pass too close.[5]
Services
Bike coding
To deter theft, the district association stamps an owner identification number into the bike frame. The code combines the police area code (BAD or RA), the municipality and street codes, the house number, the owner’s initials and the year of coding. With it, the police and lost-property offices can match a recovered bike to its owner without searching a database. Carbon frames and very thin-walled frames cannot be coded. In 2026, coding cost 12 euros, or 6 euros for members. Owners need to bring an ID card and proof of ownership.[5]
Cargo bike loan
An electrically assisted Ca:Go FS200 cargo bike is available for loan at the “Lindenhof” on Sandweierer Straße in the district of Sandweier. It is booked through the Lastenkarle platform, for no more than three days at a time. The box carries up to 70 kilograms. The loan is free and open to non-members.[5]
On 11 August 2026, volunteers used this cargo bike to hand out drinking water to motorists stranded on the closed A5 after a lorry fire near Rastatt.[6]
Guarded bike parking
For village and town festivals, the district association sets up guarded bike parking on request. The space is agreed with the municipality, and the service is free.[5]
Road safety training
On a cycling course with a seesaw, a bumpy track and a ramp, children practise accelerating, braking, steering and holding a line. The course needs at least roughly 6 by 15 metres of space and is set up at events for a contribution towards costs.[5]
Since 2015, the district association has been setting up a Dunkeltunnel (“dark tunnel”) at schools. Inside, pupils in grades 5 to 8 look at a darkened street scene from a driver’s point of view and find out how hard it is to see cyclists without lights. About ten classes can go through it in a single morning. Day-care centres can borrow scooters in several sizes for three to four weeks, together with material for a small course.[5]
Getting involved and membership
Once a month, cyclists meet at the Radlertreff, an informal get-together where guests are welcome.[5] Anyone who wants to help with cycle tours can train as a TourGuide with the ADFC free of charge.[1]
In 2026, membership cost 66 euros a year for individuals and 78 euros for families and households. It includes breakdown assistance across Germany, the members’ magazine and legal protection, among other benefits. People can also get involved without becoming members.[7]
In a notice dated 22 December 2017, the tax office confirmed the district association’s charitable status. In 2026, the district association’s first chairman was Ralph Neininger.[3]
References
- ↑1.1↑1.2↑1.3 Über den ADFC Baden-Baden, ADFC Kreisverband Baden-Baden, retrieved 13 September 2026 (Archived)
- ↑2.1↑2.2 ADFC-Demo setzt Zeichen für sichere Rheinübergänge, ADFC Kreisverband Baden-Baden, 14 June 2026, retrieved 13 September 2026 (Archived)
- ↑3.1↑3.2 Impressum, ADFC Kreisverband Baden-Baden, retrieved 13 September 2026 (Archived)
- ↑4.1↑4.2 Rad-Projekte in unserer Region, ADFC Kreisverband Baden-Baden, retrieved 13 September 2026 (Archived)
- ↑5.1↑5.2↑5.3↑5.4↑5.5↑5.6↑5.7 Service, ADFC Kreisverband Baden-Baden, retrieved 13 September 2026 (Archived)
- ↑ Lastenrad als Helfer auf Autobahn, ADFC Kreisverband Baden-Baden, 11 August 2026, retrieved 13 September 2026 (Archived)
- ↑ Sei dabei, ADFC Kreisverband Baden-Baden, retrieved 13 September 2026 (Archived)