Deutscher Radfahrer-Verband
Encyclopedia
History
Cycling associations existed in Germany since 1884. On that year the Bund Deutscher Radfahrer (BDR)German Cycling Federation
The German Cycling Federation or BDR is the national governing body of cycle racing in Germany.The BDR is a member of the UCI and the UEC.-History:...
, "German Cycling Federation", was established in the city of Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
. Later other cycling associations or clubs were founded, many of which were active and successful.
After the Enabling Act of 1933, which legally gave Hitler dictatorial control of Germany, all existing cycling associations were called to split up on their own (Selbstauflösung) before the first semester of 1933 was over. They were then invited to join
Gleichschaltung
Gleichschaltung , meaning "coordination", "making the same", "bringing into line", is a Nazi term for the process by which the Nazi regime successively established a system of totalitarian control and tight coordination over all aspects of society. The historian Richard J...
the Deutscher Radfahrer-Verband, which was the corresponding branch or unit (Fachamt) created by the Nazi Sports office.
On May 31, 1945, after Nazi Germany's defeat in World War II
Aftermath of World War II
After World War II a new era of tensions emerged based on opposing ideologies, mutual distrust between nations, and a nuclear arms race. This emerged into an environment dominated by a international balance of power that had changed significantly from the status quo before the war...
, the American Military Government
Allied Occupation Zones in Germany
The Allied powers who defeated Nazi Germany in World War II divided the country west of the Oder-Neisse line into four occupation zones for administrative purposes during 1945–49. In the closing weeks of fighting in Europe, US forces had pushed beyond the previously agreed boundaries for the...
issued a special law outlawing the Nazi party and all of its branches. Known as "Law number five", this Denazification
Denazification
Denazification was an Allied initiative to rid German and Austrian society, culture, press, economy, judiciary, and politics of any remnants of the National Socialist ideology. It was carried out specifically by removing those involved from positions of influence and by disbanding or rendering...
decree disbanded the Nationalsozialistischer Reichsbund für Leibesübungen along with all its facilities and departments, which included the Deutscher Radfahrer-Verband.
The German Cycling Federation
German Cycling Federation
The German Cycling Federation or BDR is the national governing body of cycle racing in Germany.The BDR is a member of the UCI and the UEC.-History:...
was reestablished on 21 November 1948 in West Germany
West Germany
West Germany is the common English, but not official, name for the Federal Republic of Germany or FRG in the period between its creation in May 1949 to German reunification on 3 October 1990....
.
In East Germany the cycling section of the Deutscher Sportausschuss, the DDR's sports body, was established in 1946.
See also
- GleichschaltungGleichschaltungGleichschaltung , meaning "coordination", "making the same", "bringing into line", is a Nazi term for the process by which the Nazi regime successively established a system of totalitarian control and tight coordination over all aspects of society. The historian Richard J...
- Nationalsozialistischer Reichsbund für LeibesübungenNationalsozialistischer Reichsbund für LeibesübungenThe Nationalsozialistischer Reichsbund für Leibesübungen , more rarely "NSRBL", , known as Deutscher Reichsbund für Leibesübungen until 1938, was the umbrella organization for sports during the Third Reich.The NSRL was led by the Reichssportführer, who after 1934 was...
- Bund Deutscher Radfahrer
- Segregated cycle facilitiesSegregated cycle facilitiesSegregated cycle facilities are marked lanes, tracks, shoulders and paths designated for use by cyclists from which motorised traffic is generally excluded...