In Germany two cyclists may ride side by side on the road as long as that does not obstruct other traffic; when it does, they must ride in single file. The rule is in § 2(4) of the Straßenverkehrs-Ordnung (StVO), Germany’s road traffic regulations, and the cyclists’ club ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club) summarizes it as a general permission to ride in pairs. Three situations loosen it: a street signed as a bicycle street (sign 244.1), an area signed as a bicycle zone (Fahrradzone, sign 244.3), and a recognizable group of more than 15 riders. This page describes the rules as of October 2026.
What the statute says
Paragraph (4) of § 2 StVO, titled “Straßenbenutzung durch Fahrzeuge” (use of the road by vehicles), allows bicycles to ride next to each other when that does not obstruct traffic and otherwise requires them to ride one behind the other (einzeln hintereinander). The ADFC calls side-by-side riding “expressly allowed” and says the amendment to the StVO in force since 28 April 2020 formulated the rule clearly; its Groß-Gerau district branch repeats both points.
Pairs, not packs
The two descriptions differ slightly. The statute speaks only of bicycles riding next to each other and names no number, while the ADFC phrases the general permission as riding two abreast. For everyday riding, treat two as the limit: a third rider alongside takes more of the lane and makes blocking someone far more likely.
Keep right still applies
Paragraph (2) of the same section tells everyone to ride as far to the right as possible, and says this is not limited to oncoming traffic, being overtaken, crests, bends or poor visibility. The ADFC points out that “as far right as possible” does not mean riding in the gutter or close to parked cars. A pair should therefore sit toward the right of its lane without being squeezed into the edge.
Paragraph (4) also says you are required to use a cycle path only where sign 237, 240 or 241 orders it. Where none of those signs stands, you are not obliged to use a path beside the road, so riding on the road itself is a legitimate choice; the abreast rule in sentence 1 of the paragraph is not limited to the road.
Judging “obstruct” on the road
The text gives no measurement, so the call is yours in the moment. A cautious rule of thumb borrows from the passing distance drivers must keep. The ADFC says drivers overtaking cyclists must leave at least 1.5 m (about 5 ft) inside built-up areas and 2.0 m (about 6.6 ft) outside them. A pair takes more width than one rider, so if a vehicle is behind you and the road leaves no room to pass at that distance, drop into single file until it is by. That is a practical habit, not a legal test.
| Situation | Sensible call | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Quiet street, no vehicle behind you | Pair is fine | Nobody is waiting on your half of the lane. |
| A vehicle behind cannot pass the pair at 1.5 m (built-up area) or 2.0 m (outside) | Single file | A pair takes more road, so the driver cannot keep the required distance. |
| Bend, crest or poor visibility | Single file | A driver cannot judge a pass there, and § 2(2) names these places in its keep-right rule. |
| Street signed as a bicycle street (sign 244.1) | Pair is fine | The StVO lets cyclists ride side by side there; see the next section. |
| Area signed as a bicycle zone (sign 244.3) | Pair is fine | Anlage 2 of the StVO permits side-by-side riding there too; see the next section. |
| Recognizable group of 16 or more | Pairs under § 27 | See the formation rules below. |
Bicycle streets and zones: pairs without the test
A Fahrradstraße (bicycle street) is marked by sign 244.1. The ADFC describes it as a street where bicycle traffic predominates, with a 30 km/h (about 19 mph) limit for all vehicles and drivers who must adapt to cyclists. Anlage 2 of the StVO, the schedule of regulatory signs (Vorschriftzeichen), lists side-by-side riding on bicycles as permitted for that sign, with no obstruction condition attached, and the ADFC says cyclists there may always ride two abreast.
A bicycle zone (Fahrradzone, sign 244.3) applies the same idea to a larger connected area; the ADFC says zones have allowed this since April 2020. Anlage 2 permits side-by-side riding there too, for bicycles and for electric micromobility vehicles as defined in the eKFV (the e-scooter regulation), again without the obstruction condition of § 2(4).
Groups of more than 15: the closed-formation rule
Section 27 StVO, titled Verbände (formations), covers organized groups. More than 15 cyclists may form a closed formation (geschlossener Verband), and the formation may then ride two abreast on the carriageway, the part of the road used by vehicles. Because the threshold is “more than 15”, a group of 15 or fewer falls back on the ordinary test above.
| Aspect | Ordinary riding (§ 2(4)) | Closed formation (§ 27) |
|---|---|---|
| Group size | No threshold in the text | More than 15 cyclists |
| Side by side | Allowed when other traffic is not obstructed; the ADFC describes pairs | Two abreast on the carriageway |
| What it depends on | Not obstructing other traffic; otherwise single file | The group being clearly recognizable as a group to other road users |
| Extra duties | Keep as far right as possible (§ 2(2)); use the cycle path where sign 237, 240 or 241 orders it (§ 2(4)) | Leave gaps at suitable intervals for other traffic when the formation’s length requires it, while elsewhere other traffic may not interrupt it; general traffic rules apply by analogy; whoever leads must make sure the rules are followed |
The sentence that grants pairs to a formation does not repeat the obstruction test, but the section applies the general traffic rules to formations by analogy, so a large group should not assume it may block a road at will. Recognizability is the test, so make the group unmistakable, for example with matching jerseys. If you organize rides, read § 27 in full and brief the riders before setting off. Our guide to riding safely in a group covers habits for larger bunches, though its rules discussion is built around the UK.
What the fine list says
The fine catalog on bussgeldkatalog.org, last updated on 28 July 2026, lists 20 euros for riding side by side and thereby obstructing others. The amount rises to 25 euros if someone is endangered and to 30 euros if an accident results. The site is a private compilation, not the legal source, so treat the figures as indicative.
If you are visiting
Default to single file when traffic builds, pair up when the road is clear, and treat bicycle streets and bicycle zones as the easy case. For general road habits, see our overview of the basic rules of cycling on roads; for the wider trip, see how to plan a cycling holiday.
Check the current wording
Rules and fine amounts get revised. The consolidated StVO on buzer.de lists its latest amendment as an ordinance of 30 January 2026 (BGBl. 2026 I Nr. 32) and shows the current wording of § 2 as the version in force since 1 September 2023. Before organizing a group ride or relying on the fine amounts, compare §§ 2 and 27 and Anlage 2 with the current text on gesetze-im-internet.de, the German federal government’s law portal. This is general information, not legal advice.
Sources
- buzer.de: § 2 StVO Straßenbenutzung durch Fahrzeuge
- buzer.de: § 27 StVO Verbände
- buzer.de: Anlage 2 StVO (zu § 41 Absatz 1) Vorschriftzeichen
- ADFC: StVO-Novelle in Kraft getreten
- ADFC: Verkehrsregeln für Radfahrende
- ADFC Kreis Groß-Gerau: Verkehrsregeln für Radfahrende
- bussgeldkatalog.org: Straßenbenutzung mit dem Fahrrad
Last reviewed: October 2026.