Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club

The Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (ADFC) is the largest advocacy group for cyclists worldwide, with over 230,000 members. Founded in 1979 in Bremen, the ADFC has its headquarters in Berlin and operates as a non-profit association and traffic club for cyclists[3][4].

The ADFC advocates for the traffic transition and safe, comfortable cycling at all political levels. The main mission of the ADFC is to make Germany a "bicycle country" by creating more space for bicycles and making legislation more bicycle-friendly. The focus is on climate protection, safety, health, and quality of life[4].

• Bicycle Climate Test: The ADFC regularly conducts the Bicycle Climate Test, where cyclists evaluate the cycling infrastructure in their cities and municipalities. This helps identify areas for improvement and increase local bicycle-friendliness[5].
• Certification as a Bicycle-Friendly Employer: The ADFC certifies companies that support their employees in cycling to work. This certification is awarded in bronze, silver, and gold and includes measures such as secure parking spaces, bicycle repair stations, and bike leasing offers[2][5].
• Cycling Tourism and Quality Cycling Routes: The ADFC coordinates the EuroVelo network in Germany and certifies high-quality long-distance cycling routes and cycling tourism regions. These certificates guarantee cyclists a high quality of routes and services[5].
• Bicycle Infrastructure and Transport Policy: The ADFC works closely with authorities and municipalities to implement physically separated bike lanes, bicycle streets, and zones, as well as other bicycle-friendly measures. This includes the establishment of school streets and the conversion of car parking spaces into bicycle parking spaces[5].

• Climate Protection: By promoting cycling, the ADFC contributes to the reduction of CO2 emissions. Every shift from car to bike avoids about 130 g of CO2 per kilometer[2].
• Health and Safety: The ADFC advocates for safe bike paths and health-promoting mobility. Regular cycling reduces sick days and improves overall health[2].
• Sustainable Tourism: The ADFC cycling travel analysis shows that cycling trips are not only valuable for tourism but can also promote sustainable mobility in everyday life. Regions like Lower Saxony particularly benefit from this trend[5].

• BiciBus and Kidical Mass: The ADFC supports initiatives like the BiciBus, where children ride to school together and safely, and the Kidical Mass action weeks, which raise awareness of unsafe school routes and demand child-friendly infrastructure[5].
• Park(ing) Day and Urban Transformation: The ADFC participates in Park(ing) Day, where parking spaces are temporarily transformed into vibrant spaces to show how public space can be used differently[5].

The ADFC is a central player in transport policy and vigorously advocates for a bicycle-friendly society that prioritizes safety, health, and climate protection. Through its diverse activities and initiatives, the ADFC significantly contributes to the development of a sustainable and comfortable cycling infrastructure.

• 1 - https://blog.toll-collect.de/fahrradfreundlicher-arbeitgeber-adfc-verleiht-siegel-in-gold/
• 2 - https://www.fahrradfreundlicher-arbeitgeber.de
• 3 - https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/ADFC
• 4 - https://www.adfc.de/ueber-uns
• 5 - https://www.adfc.de/fachwissen