Hesse Commuters Favor Cars Over Bikes

The bicycle is a distant third among commuting choices for residents of the German state of Hesse. In 2024, only about seven percent of commuters used a bicycle or e-bike to get to work, according to the Hessian State Statistical Office in Wiesbaden.

Usage is higher in urban areas, where 8 percent of commuters cycle, compared to rural regions where the figure drops to 5 percent. For those with commutes shorter than five kilometers, 17 percent opt for a bicycle or e-bike.

Despite the growing popularity of cycling, the car remains the dominant mode of transport. In 2024, 66 percent of working residents in Hesse drove to work, either as drivers or passengers. This figure rises to 76 percent in rural areas, where more than three-quarters of workers rely on cars.

Public transportation, including buses, subways, and trams, serves 18 percent of commuters. Urban areas see significantly higher usage, with 22 percent of workers using public transit compared to just 10 percent in rural regions.