Imagine Berlin, a city usually bustling with the familiar symphony of urban traffic, suddenly transformed into a better place. Picture its wide boulevards and even sections of its iconic Autobahn, not filled with cars but with a vibrant, moving sea of bicycles. This is the Sternfahrt Berlin, an annual cycling event organized by the Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club (also known as the ADFC) that sees tens of thousands of participants reclaim the streets for a day.
It’s not just a bike ride; it’s a powerful demonstration of sustainable transportation and a celebration of pedal power. In the spring of 2025, I participated in it for the first time, and I loved the experience so much that I’m writing about it just a few hours after getting back home.
I first heard about the Sternfahrt Berlin a few years ago, but I never managed to be in town or find the time to join the crowd in previous years. However, in 2025, my girlfriend and I took our bikes to Treptow so we could join the group from there, and 30 kilometers later, we were back home, thrilled to have taken part in all of this!
Each year, the Sternfahrt Berlin (a name that can be literally translated as “Star Ride Berlin,” as routes converge on the city center like points of a star) draws cyclists of all ages and abilities to the road. The 2025 event, for instance, saw police estimate around 13,500 participants, while organizers counted closer to 25,000 people taking part – a significant gathering of voices advocating for change. Based on what I saw and what it felt like to cycle in such a massive group, I think the organizers are closer to the right number here.
Under the rallying cry “Everyone on the bike!” (“Alle aufs Rad!“), this event underscores a growing desire for cities designed around people, not just motor vehicles.
Sternfahrt Berlin: Join Thousands Cycling for a Greener City
What makes the Sternfahrt Berlin truly unique is the rare opportunity to cycle on roads normally reserved exclusively for cars. For one incredible day, major arterial roads, as well as sections of the A100 city motorway and the A115, are closed to motorized traffic. This allows cyclists to experience Berlin from an entirely new perspective, gliding along wide, open asphalt that is usually humming with high-speed vehicles.
The feeling is more than liberating, a glimpse into what a more cycle-friendly urban future could feel like. Something that I see happening in Paris and that still missing in the political sphere in Berlin.
Participants gather in Berlin from various starting points, forming a network of approximately 20 routes that can total around 2,000 kilometers. Some dedicated groups undertake epic journeys, riding through the night from cities as far afield as Szczecin in Poland, Leipzig, or Dessau. Others embark on multi-day tours, with starting points near Osnabrück and Hanover.
The atmosphere is festive, with many people carrying Bluetooth speakers and listening to music together. There are also lots of bike bell rings, and cyclists, undeterred by the occasional drizzle, simply enjoy the collective energy and the car-free environment.
Car-Free Freedom: Why the Sternfahrt Berlin is a Must-See and a Must-Be Event
As you can imagine, the Sternfahrt Berlin is deeply rooted in activism. It serves as a large-scale demonstration, highlighting the constant need for improved cycling infrastructure and greater consideration for cyclists and pedestrians in urban planning. The ADFC uses the event to voice political demands to the Berlin Senate, and we were there to help them voice our concerns as cyclists.
A significant point of protest during recent Sternfahrten has been the planned expansion of the A100 motorway. Cyclists riding on the very road they are protesting against sends a powerful visual message, and we were there to help out in the small way that we could. The ADFC advocates for investment in public transport and cycling networks rather than expanding roadways, as they believe this will only induce more car traffic.
The world has known this for many years, as it’s known as Braess’s paradox, which is the observation that adding one or more roads to a road network can actually slow down the overall traffic flow through it.
The call is clear: Berlin needs more, not fewer, safe and well-maintained cycle paths.
While the Sternfahrt Berlin causes temporary disruption for drivers, it offers a profound experience for those who participate like we did. It felt like a vibrant, rolling festival of bikes that showcases the joy of cycling and champions a vision for a healthier, more sustainable urban environment.
If you’re in Berlin during the next Sternfahrt, joining one of the feeder routes or simply cheering from the sidelines is an unforgettable way to experience the city’s dynamic spirit of activism and community.
Keep an eye on the ADFC Berlin’s announcements for future dates if you’re planning a trip – it’s a Berlin event unlike any other.
Dear Felipe,
have your monthly mini Sternfahrt every last Friday at 20.00h at Mariannenplatz:
Join the Critical Mass!
I will have to join! Thank you =]