Rheinhessisches Fahrradmuseum

About the museum

The idea for a bicycle museum for Rheinhessen arose in 1998 at a festive lecture marking the 100th anniversary of the Radsportverein Gau-Algesheim cycling club. The sports historian Heinz-Egon Rösch proposed presenting the cycling culture deeply rooted in the region, from indoor track racing to everyday bicycles, in a museum of its own. The site chosen was Schloss Ardeck, the former administrative seat of the Electorate of Mainz and most recently the seat of the Verbandsgemeinde administration.

The museum is run by a sponsoring association whose members include the town of Gau-Algesheim, the Radsportverband Rheinhessen (cycling federation), the local cycling club, the Heimat- und Verkehrsverein (local history and tourism association) and private individuals. The town provides rooms in the castle rent-free; operations are run entirely by volunteers, and a friends' association supports the funding. In 2025 the Museumsverband Rheinland-Pfalz (Rhineland-Palatinate museum association) named the museum "Museum des Monats August" (Museum of the Month, August).

The exhibition is spread across several sections: historic two-wheelers from the Laufmaschine to the Niederrad (safety bicycle), everyday and sports bicycles, art objects, children's and special bicycles, and display cases with documents, jerseys and accessories. A specialist library and special exhibitions that change every year complement the offering. Touching and trying things out are explicitly welcome.

Highlights

• High-wheeler you can climb onto (saddle height 150 cm)
• Replica of an 1817 Laufmaschine
• Swing bike "Cavallo" to try out
• Track, Radball and artistic cycling bicycles to test
• Historic children's bicycles
• Section "The Bicycle in Art"

Permanent exhibitions

• Historische Zweiräder – From the draisine to the Niederrad (safety bicycle): development of the steerable two-wheeler, supplemented by original documents such as a 1913 cycling permit.
• Fahrrad im Alltag und Sporträder – Utility bicycles, racing machines, Radball and artistic cycling, plus accessories and jerseys.
• Das Rad in der Kunst – Paintings, prints and curious bicycles, including a folding bike at the cloakroom and an African "Chukudu".

Operated by

Trägerverein Rheinhessisches Fahrradmuseum e. V.

Director

Emil Busch

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Admission is free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance and all exhibition rooms are at ground level; wheelchair users and visitors with walking aids can move through the museum without difficulty. Two accessible parking spaces are about 100 m away. The workshop and storage in the non-accessible annex are not open to the public.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations

Touching and trying things out is welcome: visitors can climb onto a high-wheeler, test the "Cavallo" swing bike and try track, Radball and artistic cycling. For children there are guided tours and workshops with quizzes and tasks, including on road safety; one section shows historic children's bicycles.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in Schloss Ardeck on Schlossgasse.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit