Cem Özdemir’s bike tour for his appointment as Federal Minister in Bellevue Palace attracted a lot of attention – with the bike between fat limousines, the certificate clamped on the luggage rack, the helmet. That was not enough for the ZDF “Today Show”, she put Özdemir’s bicycle helmet on her head when he was sworn in later in the Bundestag: “Now he’s exaggerating!” That was funny and became even funnier when the corruption was promptly found to be real by great thinkers in right-wing circles and criticized as an “embarrassing PR gag”.
Nothing was heard from the CSU. Not surprisingly: On the one hand, PR gags with bicycle helmets were part of the repertoire of ex-Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer, just think of his 2019 helmet campaign with half-naked models (the minister stayed dressed). On the other hand, cycling ministers in the more tranquil government of Munich are no sensation at all. Culture Minister Michael Piazolo (FW) likes to see the ministry roar through the courtyard garden. You read that correctly: roar. He drives faster than he speaks. CSU politicians have also been seen on this short official channel, for example on days with the cabinet and the state parliament plenum. It’s actually only a matter of time before Markus Söder changes. He himself passed on a lot of pictures of cycling in his free time, but not so far while on duty. But if you think of entourage and personal protection, a lot of company bikes would be necessary.
Inge Aures (SPD) recently asked how this is going in the civil service. A detailed query at all schools or tax offices was not possible, but the Ministry of Transport provided figures for ministries and the highest authorities: there are 126 official bicycles there, including an electric version. Probably expandable. For the employees of the Free State, however, a job bike model is planned, it said. This is usually done through leasing. Söder had also announced this in his government statement on the climate. Furthermore, according to the ministry, you are almost right across the houses when building new parking spaces, a start has been made with e-charging stations – for example directly at the State Chancellery. Söder could do the Özdemir immediately. And on the side smoothly meet the diet goals that his eldest daughter is currently in the image announced.