Leipzig ring cycle path: safe enjoyment or fatal danger?

Leipzig ring cycle path: safe enjoyment or fatal danger?

Leipzig, Deutschland - The ring cycle path in Leipzig is a central topic of current traffic policy and is the focus of intensive debates. Critics describe the CDU's plans to recreate cycle paths on the inner city ring as backward and potentially dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians. An initiative group, consisting of representatives such as the ADFC Leipzig and the Initiative Verkehrswende Leipzig, urges the safety -relevant consequences of these measures.

A judgment of the Bautzen Higher Administrative Court from 2018 has classified the cycling ban on parts of the ring as no longer up to date. As a result, the first measures were implemented in 2021 to improve cycling, including the marking of cycling strips on the Dittrichring. Despite this progress, Jens Emmerich, cycling expert of the ADFC, expressed considerable safety concerns in a test of the ring bike path. He particularly criticized dangerous areas where cyclists have to classify themselves in car traffic, which significantly increases the risk of accidents.

dangers on the ring cycle path

As the initiatives emphasize, the return to the mixed traffic between cyclists and motor vehicles is a dangerous turnaround. Jens Emmerich emphasizes that this increases the risk of accidents, since the current accident statistics in areas with new bicycle traffic facilities show no striking values. Cyclingists are particularly at risk in places where the bike path ends abruptly or passes into mixed traffic.

The location is also symbolized by the ghost wheels on Leuschnerplatz, which are reminiscent of cyclists who were killed by traffic accidents. These ghost bikes draw attention to the critically discussed security on the bike paths. A early traffic light for cyclists at the new town hall should increase security, but is not enough to comprehensive solve the existing problems.

claims to politics

The environmental and transport associations require continuous cycling connections as well as measures to separate cycling, foot and car traffic. Three essential projects have been identified: the separation of the traffic at the double crossing next to the new town hall, the extension of the cycling lane from the round corner to Pfaffendorfer Straße and the creation of a coherent wheel lane between Leuschnerplatz and Augustusplatz.

The CDU, on the other hand, suggests dismantling the wheel lanes, which meets bitter resistance. Katja Roßburg from the Verkehrswende Leipzig initiative emphasizes that the inner city ring should be a safe place for the citizens. Over 100,000 people pass the main train station every day, more than 80 % of the visitors go to the city center without a car.

sustainable mobility and future prospects

The city administration has partially committed to take measures to take out health protection, because excessive car traffic causes traffic jam, noise and air pollution, all of which endanger health. The traffic routing was adjusted in 2019 to reduce vehicle traffic and reduce air pollution. Critics of the CDU plans argue that a dismantling of the cycling lanes would not bring any advantages for car travelers and contradict the goals of a more climate-friendly and worth living in.

The ADFC emphasizes that activation of foot and cycling is not only more cost-effective, but also more effective in order to create a continuous cycle path network between the districts. The initiatives are calling for a future -proof model project for sustainable mobility that takes into account the needs of citizens and strengthens the safety in traffic.

The challenges in Leipzig's transport system are complex. However, clear demands for more security for cyclists and sustainable traffic planning could be the key to improved urban. lvz , ADFC Leipzig and City Day Reporting about the current developments and challenges.