Running and cycling: Germany’s people sports

Running is sport No. 1: free, in the park, in any weather. Start with run-walk intervals (1 min run / 2 min walk × 8) — in 6 weeks you run 30 minutes. Stadtlauf and Volkslauf are city races over 5–10 km: entry ~€20–30, festival mood. Cycling is No. 2: ~75 million bikes for 83 million people! Rules: the Radweg is mandatory when signed, helmet is optional but smart, phone in hand — €55 fine.

• ●Stadtlauf: find via stadtlauf.de or the city’s Sportamt
• ●Helmet is not mandatory, but insurance may cut payout for head injury
• ●Lights and reflectors are mandatory from 30 minutes after sunset