Photo: Carl de Canedido
one of the most beautiful areas for cycling
Essen, May 01, April 29, 2026. On Saturday, May 2, the official starting signal will be given at 1:15 PM: Lord Mayor Thomas Kufen and Simone Raskob, Head of the Environmental, Transport, and Sports Division, will open the campaign in the Grüne Mitte in front of the La Luna ice cream parlor. Immediately afterward, the city intends to introduce the new "Stadtradeln-Star 2026." Then, the approximately 35-kilometer opening tour of the Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (ADFC) will begin together. The route will remain secret until shortly before the start but promises a relaxed, largely flat course. It is quite possible that the Baldeneysee will also play a role again, as hardly any place in Essen stands for leisure, activity, and quality of life as much as the shore between the Regatta Tower, Villa Hügel, Dam Werden and Kampmann Bridge.
Three weeks cycling for climate, health, and urban life
From May 2nd to 22nd, Essen will once again be collecting cycling kilometers – both privately and professionally. Anyone who lives, works, goes to school, or is active in a club in Essen can participate. Teams can be easily formed or found via www.stadtradeln.de/essen or the Stadtradeln app. Starting May 2nd, the distances cycled can be recorded digitally. In parallel, the "Schulradeln" (school cycling) campaign is running in NRW, specifically targeting primary and secondary schools. For older students, there will even be a creative competition in 2026 that playfully expands on the theme of mobility.
Why participation is worthwhile
Cycling is long more than a competition. Since 2008, the Climate Alliance has been calling on municipalities to set a statement for sustainable mobility. Essen has been participating since 2012 – and the response is growing steadily. Every trip taken by bike instead of by car saves CO₂, relieves the streets, and shows how decelerating it is to reach your destination by bicycle. Because less car traffic definitely makes a city more livable. And let's be honest: with the persistently good weather, there's hardly a better moment to leave the car behind and switch to cycling. Especially on the [date/event marker] it becomes clear how much more relaxed mobility can be if you don't experience it through the windshield.
Call to the Baldeneysee Community
If you live, work, or go to school in Essen: Join in! Start a team, join one, or motivate your colleagues, friends, or neighbors. Every lap around the Baldeneysee, Every commute, every small purchase counts. A practical side effect: the annoying search for a parking spot is eliminated.
