Jena: Register now for STADTRADELN 2026

Jena, August 21, 2026 – Starting next week, the city of Jena will participate in the international STADTRADELN campaign for the 15th time. From August 28 to September 17, 2026, all residents, employees, club members, as well as pupils and students can actively cycle kilometers for their teams and for climate protection.

Community action for everyday life, the environment, and health

STADTRADELN is about covering everyday routes in a climate-friendly way by bicycle instead of by car for 21 days. Every kilometer cycled counts for the team and the city of Jena – regardless of whether you commute regularly or only pedal occasionally. The goal is to make cycling more visible in the urban area and to sustainably reduce CO2 emissions.

Broad participation is already emerging: A total of 97 teams, including at least 12 school teams, have already registered. Mayor Thomas Nitzsche highlighted the unifying effect of the campaign: cycling together offers an excellent opportunity to get to know each other and engage in a sporting competition between institutions, especially at the start of the school year. The city continues to provide momentum for the mobility transition, as evidenced by recent initiatives for safe routes to school.

As the main sponsor, Jena-based asphericon GmbH is supporting the campaign in 2026 for the fifth consecutive year with its own corporate team.

Awards for clubs, schools, and teams

At the end of the 21-day campaign period, various achievements will be awarded. In addition to prizes for the largest teams, the most total kilometers, and the most active individual performances (kilometers per capita), there are additional incentives:

• Club ranking: The most active cycling clubs in Jena with the most kilometers per capita will receive cash prizes (requirement: at least five active people on the team).
• SCHULRADELN Thüringen: In the statewide student competition, there are special prizes for the most active school classes, the most kilometers cycled, and the highest percentage of participation. Registration is done separately via the “Wettbewerb Schulradeln” checkbox or via stadtradeln.de/schulradeln-thueringen.
• Team prizes: In the main categories, 1st to 3rd place will be honored.

Kick-off tour on August 29: Via the Napoleonradweg to Apolda

Traditionally, the campaign starts with a joint ride. This year’s kick-off tour on Saturday, August 29, 2026, leads along the hilly Napoleon-Radweg and is suitable for both muscle-powered touring bikes and e-bikes.

• Meeting point and start: 12:00 PM at Papiermühle Jena (Papiermühle, Jena on Google Maps)
• Intermediate stop: Cultural break and guided tour at the Bockwindmühle Krippendorf after the first climbs
• Route: Downhill ride via Schötener Promenade to Apolda to the Eiermannbau
• Cultural program: Free guided tour through the Eiermannbau and the GlockenStadtMuseum (“Museum auf Zeit”) as well as a visit to the special exhibition “C’est la guerre”
• Catering: Refreshment stop at the Auen-Café of the Lebenshilfe-Werk Weimar/Apolda e.V.
• Return trip: From 5:00 PM back to Jena together or individual departure

Due to limited capacities for the guided tours, prior registration for the kick-off tour is required by August 23, 2026, via email to stadtradeln@jena.de.

Kilometer tracking: How to record your rides

Participation in STADTRADELN is completely free. Traveled routes can either be entered manually in the online kilometer log on the website or recorded directly via GPS using the official STADTRADELN app. All routes completed in the period from August 28 to September 17 can be added until September 24, 2026.

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Register now for STADTRADELN 2026

Transparency note: This article was created automatically, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.

Read original article in German