Munich Cycle Night

Munich. A cyclist's dream come true: on Saturday evening for a few hours Altstadtring sees cars banished from the streets. The first Munich "Cycle Night" starts with a party at the Marienplatz at 7 p.m.

The launch of the double circle tour around Altstadtring starts at 9 p.m. While the cyclists will be pushing the pedals, artists conjure up the facades with light projections along the way. The event is free.

The second day of cycling events starts on Sunday with a spring-bike market in the Bavariaplatz outside the traffic ministry center of the Deutsche Museum. Those who does not have a suitable bike for the new season might find one from 11 a.m. till  5.30 p.m.  The offer: two, three wheel or folding bikes, pedelecs (those with electric motor), children's bikes, trailers, and accessories. In addition there will be a free bike check and cycle courses for people with physical limitations.

The two weekend events are the beginning of a bigger campaign. The city has an ambitious goal: by 2015 cyclists must make up to 20 percent of the total traffic - currently it is 14 percent. Munich should become the friendliest German city for cycling.