Hamburg experiences high illicit drug use, often involving young people, according to a recent report. - Thousands of Motorcyclists Converge at Service Center
Over the weekend, thousands of bikers flocked to the 41st Hamburg Motorcycle Service at the Michel. "We approximated around 3,000 motorbike enthusiasts parked in front of the Michel," mentioned a spokesperson for the traditional gathering on Sunday. The church was said to be almost full, reaching an approximate occupancy of 90%.
In times past, up to 20,000 riders made their way to Hamburg for the service followed by a downtown parade to Buchholz.
However, this time around, bikers had to forego their usual ride. The cause was roadwork on the A7 motorway, which resulted in traffic being redirected across the Elbe bridges. This made the bike caravan unfeasible, prompting the authorities to cancel it. There was still a substantial gathering of riders right next to the Michel.
Despite the cancellation, the mood remained unaffected, as per the event's spokesperson. Although disappointment was visible, especially among riders who had traveled from afar and only discovered the aborted parade on-site, thanks for the event and a laid-back, heartfelt ambience with keen interest in the spiritually-driven community experience prevailed, the spokesperson added.
Since the early 1980s, the Hamburg Motorcycle Service has been a regular occurrence, with a police chaplain initially organizing it. In 2022, an estimated 3,000 participants with more than 1,000 motorbikes were present.
At the same time, a bicycle star ride was held on Sunday. Fortunately, no issues arose from the added traffic congestion due to closures, as reported by the organizers of the Motorcycle Service. They managed to maintain a positive coexistence between bikers and cyclists. In comparison to previous years, the situation at the Michel was even more at ease. Due to the scrapped caravan and, consequently, fewer road closures and more room for motorbikes, many appreciated the circumstances.
The bicycle star rides are organized by the Mobil ohne Auto Nord coalition. Consisting of the north's ADFC bicycle club, the Nordkirche, and the VCD North traffic club, the star rides are an advocate for a transport shift featuring more bike use and less car traffic. The alliance also promotes the extension of bike paths. The Hamburg bicycle star ride had already made a call for participation in the European and city elections prior to the event.
Cyclists could choose from 80 different starting points to reach the heart of Hamburg. Some tours even had riders traversing the stunning Köhlbrand Bridge in the harbor. In the afternoon, a collective closing event for all cyclists occurred around the Binnenalster.
Links to the star ride routes can be found here: Motorcycle Service in Hamburg.
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On Sunday, the colorful motorcycles of thousands of motorcyclists created a vibrant spectacle at the leisure time event in Hamburg, despite the traffic disruptions. Despite the cancellation of the usual downtown parade to Buchholz due to roadwork, the mood remained positive, filled with a laid-back and heartfelt ambience. Even on a regular Sunday in Hamburg, the city is known for its diverse activities, including events like the Hamburg Motorcycle Service.
