Münster to remove up to 10,000 abandoned bicycles annually

The city of Münster, known as a bicycle city, is implementing a systematic program to remove non-functional bicycles from public spaces. Starting in April 2026, the municipal bicycle control service will work more closely with the Münster Waste Management Company (AWM) to identify and clear abandoned bikes.

Officials estimate that up to 10,000 bicycles could be removed each year, with approximately 80 percent expected to be processed as scrap metal. The number of bicycles removed annually has already seen an upward trend, rising from 3,965 in 2020 to 4,828 in 2025. The initiative aims to reclaim parking spaces occupied by corroded or damaged bicycles that are no longer in use.