ADFC launches the 2026 Cycling Climate Test: How cycle-friendly is Leipzig?

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What do liveable towns and cities look like? What do they offer to ensure that cyclists of all ages and with different needs feel safe? Cyclists themselves are best placed to assess this. That is why the Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (ADFC) is calling on people to take part in the Cycling Climate Survey. The world’s largest survey on cycling runs from 1 September to 30 November.

All residents of Leipzig are invited to assess just how cycle-friendly their town really is: how well-developed are the cycle paths? Do you feel safe in traffic? Is cycling in Leipzig fun, or is it rather stressful to get about by bike?

Janek Mücksch, chair of ADFC Saxony, is convinced: “Anyone who cycles regularly knows best where things are already running smoothly and where junctions are still confusing or where a cycle path is missing. The ADFC wants to highlight these experiences through the Cycling Climate Survey. The results provide local authorities and policymakers with an overview of where action is still needed. That’s why we’re calling on everyone in Leipzig who cycles at least occasionally to take part.”

Take part and improve local conditions

The survey gives cyclists the opportunity to provide direct feedback to politicians and local authorities. The results highlight where conditions in Leipzig are already good and where improvements are still needed – for example, at confusing junctions or where cycle links are missing. In the Bicycle Climate Test two years ago, three-quarters of respondents in Saxony stated that they felt at risk when cycling in traffic.

New: A separate survey for children and young people

For the first time, the ADFC is conducting a separate survey for children and young people aged between 10 and 20 as part of the Bicycle Climate Test. Young people in particular need safe routes so that they can get to school, sports activities or leisure pursuits independently. With the Cycling Climate Test for young people, the ADFC is giving them the opportunity to provide direct feedback to their city on what they notice about road traffic in Leipzig and where, from their perspective, they would like to see changes.

The Cycling Climate Test

Many towns and cities have taken steps to improve cycling conditions in recent years. The Cycling Climate Test reveals whether these efforts are reflected in public perception. The results serve as a barometer of how good the conditions for cycling are in a town or city. The more cyclists who rate their city, the more accurate the conclusions can be as to whether measures to promote cycling are bearing fruit or whether the city needs to do more to ensure safe cycling.

The Cycling Climate Survey is the world’s largest survey on the cycling climate and is now being conducted for the twelfth time. Over 245,000 people across Germany took part in the last round in 2024. In Saxony, over 8,000 respondents took part two years ago and 41 towns and cities were included in the analysis.

How does the Cycling Climate Survey work?

The online questionnaire can be completed from 1 September to 30 November using a PC, tablet or smartphone at www.fahrradklima-test.de, or by filling in a paper questionnaire. The 27 questions in the questionnaire can be answered in ten minutes.

At the end of the survey, the Cycling Climate Test offers the opportunity to make comments and highlight local issues. Once the survey is complete, the ADFC forwards these specific comments to the relevant local authority.

Anyone who cycles in several towns and local authorities and has a good knowledge of the area can assess the cycling infrastructure in more than one location. The nationwide results and the town-specific analyses of the Cycling Climate Survey will be published in spring 2027.