Berlin Court Orders Nextbike to Remove Thousands of Rental Bikes Amid Legal Dispute; Niedersachsen Sues Klasmann-Deilmann Over Illegal Peat Extraction

On January 21, 2026, two significant legal actions in Germany highlighted issues of regulatory compliance and environmental protection involving prominent companies.

In Berlin, the Leipzig-based bike rental company Nextbike has been ordered by the Berlin-Brandenburg Higher Administrative Court to remove 6,500 rental bicycles from public streets. The court rejected Nextbike's emergency application against a directive from the Berlin Senate demanding the immediate removal. The dispute stems from Nextbike's continued operations after their contract with Berlin expired on June 30, 2025, and negotiations to renew the contract failed. Without a valid special usage permit, Nextbike’s rental activities were deemed to disturb other road users. The Berlin Senate mandated cessation of the bike rental service as of July 2025 and ordered the removal of the bicycles. The court ruling is final and cannot be appealed.

Simultaneously in Niedersachsen, the state government filed a lawsuit against the Emsland-based company Klasmann-Deilmann seeking 4.5 million euros in damages for illegal peat extraction from the Esterweger Dose nature reserve. Although the company holds a legal extraction license, they are accused of exceeding the permitted extraction volumes, digging too deep, and operating in unauthorized areas. Environmental Minister Christian Meyer emphasized the severe environmental damage this has caused, impacting moorland climate goals due to peatlands' importance as carbon sinks. The dispute focuses on an estimated loss of 20,000 cubic meters of peat, equating to roughly 800 truckloads. Klasmann-Deilmann attributes the missing peat to drought rather than illegal activity but has not formally commented on the lawsuit. Niedersachsen plans to strengthen moor protections and halt issuing new peat extraction licenses. A court hearing in Osnabrück is anticipated after the company's response deadline in early February.

These cases underscore Germany’s rigorous enforcement of environmental and urban regulatory standards. They highlight ongoing tensions between commercial operations and public interest in environmental preservation and urban order.

The Berlin court’s definitive ruling against Nextbike sets a precedent for contract compliance and regulatory adherence in urban mobility services, prioritizing public space management. Meanwhile, the lawsuit against Klasmann-Deilmann illustrates intensifying efforts to safeguard natural ecosystems from overexploitation, with significant financial claims reflecting the environmental stakes involved.

These developments will likely influence future regulatory approaches for sustainable business practices in Germany.