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Pirna city council decides illegally: setback for cyclists!
On July 22, 2025, Pirna's city council illegally decided to withdraw one-way streets for cyclists, despite legal concerns.
Pirna city council decides illegally: setback for cyclists!
On July 22, 2025, the Pirna city council passed a controversial resolution that caused a lot of excitement and discussion. The resolution, which was supported by the AfD, the “Free Voters – We for Pirna” (FW-WfP) and André Kurth from the Pirna citizens' initiatives, received 13 yes votes, while the rest of the city councilors abstained. Mayor Tim Lochner (AfD) also voted in favor. The aim of the current resolution is to reverse the opening of one-way streets in the opposite direction for cyclists. But the city administration has clearly signaled that the city council is not responsible for this application, which is why the decision is classified as illegal, as the Sächsische reported.
The focus of the debate is the 2030 Transport Development Plan (VEP) and specifically the section that deals with cycling in one-way streets. Already in November 2024, an application aimed at revoking the permits for cyclists caused a stir. However, according to the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), it has been possible for years to open up one-way streets for cyclists. The city has several one-way streets open, although some are not. The applicants are now calling for the immediate withdrawal of the regulations that have already been implemented and the restoration of parking spaces that have been lost as a result of the measures.
Legal gray area
According to that Municipal Breviary The conditions for suspending such a decision are its illegality. This can be formal or material in nature. In Pirna, however, the formal illegality could exist because the city council lacks responsibility. Such a decision must take into account the legal framework set out in the municipal regulations (GemO).
There was a first vote in June in which the motion was approved with 14 votes in favour, 9 against and 1 abstention. However, the new decision on July 22nd showed that the issue has not been finally clarified. AfD parliamentary group leader Bodo Herath again raised concerns about the safety of cyclists, while FW-WfP parliamentary group leader Ralf Böhmer claimed that the city had acted in advance obedience. The CDU parliamentary group abstained and the BSW parliamentary group sharply rejected the application, criticizing the applicants for bringing about an illegal decision.
The next steps
The mayor is now required to contradict the approved application. This would result in a special session within four weeks. The legal aspects of the process are fully examined by the legal supervisory authority in the district office. The citizens' debate makes it clear that the issue of cycling and road safety is a burning concern in Pirna that goes far beyond this one resolution.