Mobility in Germany: Pedestrian traffic is increasing, cars remain king!

Mobility in Germany: Pedestrian traffic is increasing, cars remain king!

Mobility in German cities is undergoing significant change, as the current survey “Mobility in Cities – SrV” shows. This comprehensive study, carried out by the Chair of Mobility System Planning at the Technical University of Dresden, surveyed over 280,000 people in around 500 municipalities between February 2023 and March 2024. The result sets enable city-comparative and cross-city analyses, which are of central importance for future transport planning. What is particularly notable is the increase in walking, which was strongly influenced by home office. Cycling usage rates have reached new heights since 2018, while car usage in urban areas has been declining, particularly among younger demographics. Seniors, on the other hand, continue to tend to use cars outside of larger cities.

As part of the study, 281,998 people from 125,038 households and a total of 884,332 routes were recorded, which suggests high data quality. This comprehensive survey approach is supported by 97 institutions involved in the project. The next survey on mobility in Germany will take place in 2028, coinciding with the anniversary of the TU Dresden.

Deutschlandticket: A new trendsetter

Another important aspect of the mobility studies is the introduction of the Deutschlandticket, which was launched on May 1, 2023. With an introductory price of 49 euros, it enables nationwide travel on local public transport and extends across local, regional and federal state borders. Based on the successful nine-euro ticket from 2022, which served as a pilot test, the Deutschlandticket shows a clear trend towards increased use of public transport. Thanks to these initiatives, driving behavior in cities has developed positively. A scientific study by the “Transport Policy and Mobility Behavior” project analyzes the long-term effects of the Germany Ticket on mobility. The study will run until 2026 and includes surveys of 2,500 people.

In addition, additional in-depth interviews are planned to understand how the Deutschlandticket actually influences mobility behavior. Political science analyzes should make the effectiveness of the measure better understandable and made accessible to political actors.

Data and behavior changes at a glance

The study “Mobility in Germany 2023”, which was published on March 25, 2025, also documents a significant decline in private motorized transport (MIV). Daily trips were three percent lower in 2023/2024 and kilometers traveled were seven percent lower than in 2017. According to the results of the modal split, 40 percent of trips were made by car, while public transport increased from 10 percent in 2017 to 11 percent. A remarkable increase in foot traffic from 22 percent to 26 percent underlines the change in mobility culture.

In urban areas, 31 percent of trips were made on foot and 33 percent by motorized transport. The rate of cycling is stable at 15 percent, while 21 percent of trips are by bus and train. The rise of electric bicycles and Pedelecs further highlights the importance of cycling, reflected in an increase in the bicycle fleet from 75 million to 80 million, a quarter of them electric.

Overall, these changing mobility patterns reflect a complex interaction of social, economic and environmental factors that future transport planning should pay particular attention to. The data collected not only serves to adapt transport offerings to citizens' needs, but also provides valuable insights for future scientific and political discussions. The next steps in transport research will be crucial in order to continue the positive development.