Green rejects back: nature conservation does not block cycle paths!
Green rejects back: nature conservation does not block cycle paths!
Sachsen, Deutschland - In Saxony, the expansion of the cycle paths is still an unsolved problem. Despite the earlier objective of the Saxon government to build 100 kilometers of new cycle paths a year, progress is left behind the expectations. Only eight kilometers were rebuilt in 2023, while only 20 kilometers are planned for 2024. Currently there are 64 kilometers of cycle paths and 153 kilometers are in the planning phase. These figures clearly show that the specified goals are not achieved.
In view of the current Situation, the Greens in the Saxon state parliament rejected the accusation that nature conservation associations are responsible for the delays in cycle path construction. Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU) had indicated that complaints from environmental associations would be the problem. A small request from the Greens state parliamentarians Katja Meier, however, showed that no complaints from nature conservation associations were submitted for any of the 31 cycle path projects between 2020 and 2024. Meier described Kraushaar's statement as "factual wrong and politically dangerous", since she distracted from the actual causes of the hilk.challenges in cycle path construction
The Greens argue that the actual challenges in cycle path construction are missing personnel resources, long coordination processes and an inadequate priority for bicycle traffic on the part of the state government. This is underpinned by the current budget plans, which provide for an annual decline in funds for cycling by around 20 million euros. In this context, the green requests for amendments have brought in the state parliament in order to request more financial means and clearer political priorities for the expansion of the bike paths.
The sponsorship framework for cycling in Saxony is nevertheless remarkable: the Free State supports municipalities with a total of 48 million euros for cycling infrastructure in a double budget 2023/2024. Of these, around 16 million euros are available for planning and construction of bike paths on federal and state roads. The importance of gap closure projects that have the highest priority for the network effect of complete projects is particularly emphasized
future prospects for cycling
The bicycle industry in Saxony is strong, with over 300 companies that employ around 10,000 employees and generate annual sales of more than 1.5 billion euros. Diamant Bahrradwerke GmbH, as the oldest active bicycle manufacturer in Germany, has an impressive annual turnover of 300 million euros. The Free State also initiated measures to promote cargo bikes, with up to 1,500 euros support for cargo pedelecs. In 2023 there are 700,000 euros available.
On the theme day with Transport Minister Martin Dulig in Chemnitz on the importance of the bicycle for the traffic transition, the environmental friendliness and health promotion of cycling was emphasized. However, planning and approval of new cycle paths is still a lengthy process and can take 8 to 10 years based on legal provisions. The construction of a new walking and cycle path between Waldheim and Geberbach is 1.3 kilometers long and is expected to be completed at the end of 2024.
In conclusion, it should be noted that the cycle path construction in Saxony faces major challenges. The responsibility for this is not postponed to the nature conservation associations, but rather the strict planning conditions and lack of resources.Further information can be found in the reports of Blick and Smwa.
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| Ort | Sachsen, Deutschland |
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