Once they arrive at their destination, every road user faces the same question: Where can I park my vehicle? Be it a bicycle, motorcycle, or motor vehicle. Bicycles and cargo bikes are essentially defined as equivalent by law (see link).

On this page, we describe the parking rules for bicycles in public spaces: sidewalks, roadsides, and now, new: cargo bike parking. This includes everyday bikes, cargo bikes, and bikes with trailers, as the same rules apply to all situations.

In general, there are no parking restrictions for bicycles or bicycle trailers. Therefore, parking bicycles and cargo bikes on sidewalks and other spaces is permitted.

Cargo bike parking on the sidewalk

A hotly debated topic that has already been brought to court in several cases. First and foremost, the parking of bicycles, and accordingly, cargo bikes, falls under the "common use of public space." According to this definition, parking cargo bikes on the sidewalk is permitted. However, the following restriction applies: Pedestrians, and especially wheelchair users, must not be obstructed by the parked bike.

Cargo bike parking on the side of the road

Cargo bikes, like any other vehicle, can be parked on the side of the road. This regulation was supposed to be overturned as part of the new amendment to the German Road Traffic Act (StVO) in summer 2019, thus only permitting parking outside of shoulders and roadways. In February 2022, the federal states approved this new amendment. However, due to protests from cycling associations such as the ADFC Paderborn, this regulation was overturned and completely abolished.

Thus, parking all types of bicycles at the curbside remains permitted. One restriction or condition remains in place: In the dark, adequate lighting, e.g., by a parking light, must be provided for any bicycle, cargo bike, or bicycle trailer parked at the curbside.

Cargo bike parking: Cargo bike parking spaces

As can be clearly seen in the image from cargobike.jetzt (source), a new street sign and parking option for cargo bikes has been enshrined in law. This allows cities to create designated parking spaces for cargo bikes. This can provide positive impetus for the transport transition. Up to five cargo bike parking spaces are possible in the space of one car parking space.

These can be used for both commercial and private cargo bikes, which can make an important contribution to reducing the number of delivery vans double-parked. Cargo bike parking spaces also relieve the already heavily congested bicycle parking infrastructure and prevent obstructions to pedestrians and wheelchair users on the sidewalk. These parking spaces can make a significant contribution to the acceptance and, above all, the use of cargo bikes, as they counteract the parking shortage. We are already curious to see when and if the first cargo bike parking spaces will be established in Paderborn. Further details on bicycle parking options in Paderborn can be found at the following link.