Column from Germany: Life on a bike - no matter what the weather » Education

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November 25, 2009

Column from Germany: Life on a bike - no matter what the weather

From Germany

After spending two months in Germany, I am now surprised when I step into a car. For the most part, I have used my bicycle and public transportation to get from point A to point B.

Over the past few months I have developed an intense love-hate relationship with my bicycle. Riding in the perpetual rain is miserable. On the way to school you get soaked. After sitting, dripping wet in class for five hours, you finally dry off a little bit. But, by that time, it is time to make the trek back home. No matter how well I encase myself in rain gear, I still manage to get wet.

On the other hand, the convenience, independence and low cost is liberating. Unlike in the U.S., I don't have to continuously step in a car, bum a ride or pay for gas. Here, school, home, the train station and the center of town are all within a one-mile radius.

There is such a rooted dependence on the bicycle in my area. Every morning on my way to school the streets are clogged with hundreds of students and workers on their way to their daily commitments. They weave in and out of traffic, pedestrians and each other, on assorted two-wheeled contraptions. Bicycles are real players in the daily traffic flow. Therefore, third-graders complete a bicycle safety course and even earn a bicycle license. Luckily, I didn't have to take that course.

There are a remarkable number of rules regarding bike riding. For example, at night, dawn and dusk you have to ride with front and rear lights. Furthermore, if you break any traffic rule while riding a bike, the police have the authority to take away your automobile drivers license. It's easy to tell who has a license: the people who don't sprint to try and slide in under the gate at the railroad crossings.

It is important to note that many people do live in more isolated areas of the countryside. However, these small villages tend to be served by at least one regular bus route, so it is possible to be completely independent of the automobile. Luckily, my town, though not a village, is part of the greater Hannover transportation authority. In town we have a train station and an extensive bus system. In terms of short distance travel, driving just doesn't make sense. Everything that one could need in terms of stores, restaurants, school or movie theaters is either a bike, bus or train ride away.

Luckily, train passes for students are not terribly expensive. As a student, for slightly less that 20 euro a month I can use all services of the transportation authority after 2 p.m., on weekends and holidays. So far I would say I have received more than my money's worth. Twice a week I take the train into the city for a language course and I spend time on the weekends in the city with friends. It takes either 20 or 30 minutes depending on the train to get to the Hauptbahnhof (central station) in Hannover. From there, you can travel to pretty much any corner of Germany and Europe.

Overall, I have loved the freedom and mobility that the transportation system affords. Though honestly, on some of those really wet and dreary days, I wish I could just jump in the car.

Michael Kaluzny is an Andover resident living as a student in Germany. He is submitting periodic columns about his experience there.