Baltrum is a completely car-free island, because of the traffic ban of all kind of motor vehicles. The only exceptions are vehicles of the volunteer fire department, an ambulance, a few wheel loaders and some machines needed for the coastal protection. From 1949 until 1985 there was a small single track "Inselbahn Baltrum" () which was an unelectrified narrow gauge railway for baggage and cargo transportation. No bicycle sharing system exists on Baltrum and the tourists are asked not to bring their own bicycles onto the island, riding bicycles is the privilege of inhabitants. The passenger and freight transportation is accomplished by horse-drawn carriages. The baggage is transported by two-wheeled or four-wheeled carts or also carriages, use of electrical bicycles is the latest trend.