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Shared-use pathGermany

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Germany. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
Germany

9. Shared-use path

A shared-use path is a path or part of a road intended for use by both pedestrians and cyclists. Unlike facilities where pedestrians and cyclists have clearly separated sections, users of a shared-use path normally travel within the same general space.

Because users may travel at very different speeds, cyclists should approach pedestrians carefully, adapt their speed and leave sufficient space when passing. The permitted users, priority rules and any speed restrictions depend on the local traffic signs and regulations.

Shared-use path
Shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists along the Kleve–Griethausen railway line. (Kleve, Germany)
Wikimedia.org • Pieter Delicaat • CC BY-SA
What does Germany call a shared walking and cycling path?

The official term is gemeinsamer Geh- und Radweg. Its blue circular sign shows walking and cycling together. The sign with a vertical division indicates a getrennter Rad- und Gehweg, where the two groups use separate sections.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §2(4); Annex 2, signs 240–241

Mandatory shared pedestrian and cycle path. Mandatory shared pedestrian and cycle path.

English • Traffic sign 240 • Shared footpath and cycle path.

Deutsch • Verkehrszeichen 240 • Gemeinsamer Geh- und Radweg.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Verwaltungsvorschriften-im-internet.de • VzKat, Anhang (Gesamtübersicht)

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
erstes Hochladen einer Datei durch Andreas 06; nach den Vorgaben 2017 korrekt interpretiert und digital umgesetzt durch Mediatus • Public domain • Source revision 2017-09-12. Wikimedia original unmodified.

How must cyclists treat pedestrians on German shared paths?

Cyclists must not endanger or obstruct pedestrians. Adjust speed to pedestrian traffic where necessary. Compulsory cycle-path use does not give riders a right to force pedestrians aside or pass through them at normal road-cycling speed.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §2(4); Annex 2, signs 240–241

Does a German shared-path sign normally make cycle-path use compulsory?

Yes. The relevant blue circular sign normally requires cyclists to use the path rather than the carriageway. The statutory exceptions still matter. A shared-path obligation is separate from the duty to protect walkers on the facility.

🔗 gesetze-im-internet.de • Germany StVO: §2(4); Annex 2, signs 240–241

1 Germany 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Footpath 8 Bike path 9 Shared-use path 10 Pedestrian warning 11 Tunnel 12 Bridge 13 Cycling street 14 Pedestrian zone 15 Toll road 16 Customs 17 One-way traffic 18 Quay 19 Slope 20 Bus lane 21 Bus stop 22 Dead end 23 Stop sign 24 Give way 25 Roundabout 26 Priority road 27 Road narrowing 28 Priority over oncoming traffic 29 Give way to oncoming traffic 30 Pedestrian crossing 31 Railway crossing 32 Mandatory direction 33 School area 34 Overtaking 35 Crossing animals 36 Slippery road 37 Rockfall 38 Aircraft 39 Curve 40 Chevron 41 Wrong-way driving 42 Roadworks 43 Crosswind 44 Height limit 45 Width limit 46 Length limit 47 Weight limit 48 Radar speed sign 49 Selective barriers 50 Low-emission zone 51 Intersection direction sign 52 Priority at the next junction 53 Traffic lights 54 Traffic lights warning 55 Pedestrian lights 56 Road markings 57 Junction layout 58 Bike box 59 Speed feedback 60 Driving licence 61 Location marker 62 Countdown markers 63 Traffic mirror 64 Emergency telephone 65 International border 66 Pedestrian underpass 67 Cycling route 68 End of restriction 69 Parking 70 No parking 71 No stopping 72 Parallel parking 73 Park and ride 74 Kiss and ride 75 Parking meter 76 Parking disc 77 Disabled parking 78 Traffic management 79 Reversing 80 Traffic jam 81 Detour 82 Uncontrolled crossroad 83 Road surface 84 Exit 85 Horse riding 86 Provisional licence 87 Hazardous cargo 88 Emergency exit 89 Runaway truck ramp 90 Oversize load 91 Cycle highway 92 Carsharing 93 City limit 94 Gantry 95 Distance board 96 Breakdown bay 97 Hiking 98 Pavement parking 99 Road church 100 Tourist attraction ...