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Run, Bike, and See Green Berlin (Two joggers, above, enjoy the green city, jogging in Berlin) Berlin's 2,500 public parks, over 100 miles of waterways, and 1,700 plus bridges have earned the city the reputation of being a "green capital" and the perfect place to explore by bike or foot. By joining any of the city's various bicycle tours or by "sightjogging," visitors can safely and actively explore Berlin's highlights, as well as off the beaten path side streets, traditional Berlin courtyards, and city squares often too narrow for tour busses. Under the motto "Run and See," Sightjogging-Berlin is particularly popular with business travelers on tight schedules. Sightjogging guides can meet guests at their hotels or conference venues, and guide them on a moderate three to five mile city run, while sharing information and stories about the sights along the way. Currently available are three different routes covering "Classical Berlin," "Political Berlin," and "Berlin of the 1930s and the Wall." Tours are conducted in both English and German, from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Visitors can book at Sightjogging's website, www.sightjogging-berlin.de or by calling ++49-(0)3-79 78 98 54. Those
who prefer self-guided running tours can find a wide choice of scenic jogging
routes, including maps and terrain descriptions at Presently, 10 percent of all trips taken in Berlin are by bicycle. Visitors have discovered bicycling as a perfect way to experience the city at their own pace. The city is very bike-friendly, flat and offers some 745 miles of clearly marked bike paths. As Berlin is quite spread-out, bikers are able to travel over larger distances between major landmarks more quickly and comfortably than by foot. They can cover even more ground by taking their bicycles with them on the subway when necessary.
(A tour boat makes its way down a canal in Berlin) Guided bicycle tours - many of which are offered in English - have also become quite popular. Visitors have a choice of tours covering both main attractions and special areas of interest. Fahrradstation (www.fahrradstation.de) offers not only a daily highlights tour in English, but also special excursions spotlighting "Berlin and its Immigrants," and "City of the Cold War." Berlin on Bike's program (www.berlinonbike.de) includes a "Nightseeing" tour of illuminated buildings, still waters, and the city's nightlife, as well as a four-hour tour along the path of the Berlin Wall, and a "Gay Berlin Tour." Fat Tire Bike Tours (www.fattirebiketoursberlin.de) boasts native English-speaking guides and some of the most comfortable bicycles in town. Their basic program includes a daily five-hour "Berlin Highlights" tour and a special "Wall Tour." Additionally, independent cyclists may rent their bikes for around 10 Euro per day for self-guided touring. Many of the city's numerous bicycle renting points are located in the trendy Mitte district or near the Friedrichstrasse or Zoo stations. Local biking maps outlining the bicycle paths can be found in most book stores. The online bicycle router, www.bbbike.de, shows recommended bicycle routes between any two points in the city. For more information on bicycle rental and tour companies, plus general visitor information on Berlin, visit www.visitBerlin.de.
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