"The switch was worth it": Five people explain why they prefer cycling to driving

Created: 05/05/2022, 17:00

By: Jonas Napiletzki

Dominik Löffler also rides his e-bike in winter.

He stopped at Habererplatz in Miesbach to describe his experiences.

© Thomas Plettenberg

Dominik Löffler commutes from Weyarn to Neuhaus by bike all year round. He and four other people from the district explain why they largely do without cars.

District – Dominik Löffler, 50 years old, comes from the GDR, you can still hear that a little bit.

However, he did not come to the editorial office of the local newspaper in a Trabi, but by bicycle.

And with that – the reason for his visit – he drives everywhere.

Löffler has been working in Neuhaus for four years and drives from Holzolling in the municipality of Weyarn to the guesthouses on Schliersee, which he manages there.

In summer and winter alike, he completes the 50 kilometers by bike. He now wants to share his motivation with others.

"Because it's fun, keeps you fit and because it saves energy and raw materials."

Löffler swung onto the saddle early on in his youth in Vogtland.

"I had the first bike in the village," he says with a smile.

That meant a lot of freedom for him in the GDR.

And that feeling has stayed with him to this day.

In the life of the now 50-year-old, a tandem, an artificial bike, a mountain bike followed - and today an e-bike for the winter.

In summer, Löffler rides his racing bike through the district.

"That's the contribution I can make to the climate."

Dominik Löffler: "Switching to the bike was worth it"

The limits in winter would be 20 centimeters of snow or temperatures below minus 20 degrees.

"But this year it was only minus 16," says Löffler and laughs.

He does have a car for the house, yard and garden, he adds.

But that is only for transport.

Löffler has many anecdotes to tell about his journeys through the district.

He knows the snowplough driver in winter, the farmer who drives the cows out to pasture in summer, and all the joggers who cross his path at the same time every day.

"The switch to the bike was worth it," emphasizes the Holzollinger.

He is happy about the people and about the glittering rays of sunshine on the way to work.

And although the sun doesn't always shine - not even for cyclists - "I always arrive more relaxed," says Löffler.

“In winter there are traffic jams on the roads because of skiers and in summer because of hikers.” The guest house supervisor, who also offers e-bike courses and training sessions on the saddle, recommends good preparation as a tip.

He says: "If the clothes aren't ready and the tires aren't pumped up, then you don't feel like it anymore from the start." He's also lucky at work: "I can take a shower at work," says Löffler.

In any case, you have to get used to the frequent cycling.

As in any sport, he explains, the effect only sets in after a week or two.

In addition, a gentle start is recommended.

Good preparation is important

For untrained people, he also recommends e-bikes to get started.

Löffler assures that if you swap your bike for a car, it will be a bit more difficult in the country, but it would also work without a car.

"With a bit of time management, anything is possible." In the end, in addition to a lot of pride, there is also the good feeling of doing something for your health.

"I myself feel a bit trapped in other modes of transport," reveals the 50-year-old.

"First on the train, then in the underpass, then in the building, that's not for me."

As a wish to be able to motivate more people to cycle, Löffler calls for consideration and the expansion of the infrastructure.

The latter must still be vigorously promoted;

From Weyarn to Schliersee he drives around 60 percent on the road because there is no cycle path.

"And if fat SUVs only swerve at the last moment, then you get scared." Road users simply have to be a little more relaxed here and recognize sources of danger earlier.

Olaf Fries has been without a car for over three years

Olaf Fries (55), cyclist from Weyarn.

© Private

It was planned as an experiment, but I've been without a car for over three years now.

In Weyarn I have the Edeka on site and I can quickly get to the train station by bike.

My family usually goes on vacation by bike and train.

Of course there are difficult moments.

I always have a change of clothes with me, have to plan more time and organize a lot.

But it works very well without a car - I only see advantages in the reduced individual traffic.

In the evening mood I experience many beautiful moments.

Cycling is good for me, even apart from the important ecological considerations.

Professionally, I have the advantage of being able to work as a programmer in my home office.

If it were necessary, I could buy a car again.

It's a comfortable situation. 

Livia Keller relies on cargo e-bikes

Livia Keller (43), cargo bike owner from Kreuth.

© Private

I moved to Kreuth from Switzerland – with a lot of idealism.

My husband and I share a car and a cargo e-bike for us and our three children.

I find several cars in front of the door not only ecologically bad, but also simply ugly.

They take up space and involve work.

But: Carpooling also has to be organised, trains don't always run on time and without the opportunity to borrow a car from one's in-laws, it wouldn't work, especially in winter.

In my experience, I often take the car when it's in front of the door.

But I can change the general conditions.

If there is no car available, cycling is easier than renting a car. 

Lutz Breitwieser always rides his bike

Lutz Breitwieser (55), bike commuter from Bayrischzell.

© Private

I cycle to the town hall in Miesbach every day – even when it rains.

If I started not riding in bad weather, I wouldn't be riding at all.

Tomorrow there will be a headwind, the day after tomorrow it will be too warm, and a day later you want to go shopping after work.

For me, the fun only ends when the snow plow starts driving outside.

As long as it's just a little sugared, it's still fine.

I bought spikes this winter.

From Bayrischzell to Miesbach it's 23 kilometers of main road.

In the evening there is more going on on the streets, I drive over the Schliersee and the Krug-Alm.

When I cycle – without an electric motor, by the way – I'm concerned with the break between work and home.

I'm missing something without it.

Magdalena Mehringer also takes children on the cargo bike

Magdalena Mehringer (39), cargo bike owner from Kreuth.

© Private

A year and a half ago our second car broke down.

My husband and I thought: do we really need a second car?

We decided to try it without – because of climate protection.

However, it quickly became clear that it would not work in the countryside without a replacement.

We then bought a cargo bike in which one or two children can ride.

In terms of time, you are just as quick with it as with the car because of the electric motor and less traffic jams and looking for a parking space.

Sweating isn't an issue either.

In winter we often use carpooling.

And the children benefit too – because we give them more personal responsibility if they are allowed to drive themselves.

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