Safe bicycle traffic in Leipzig: Pop-up cycle paths create new perspectives!

Safe bicycle traffic in Leipzig: Pop-up cycle paths create new perspectives!

Harkortstraße, Leipzig, Deutschland - On June 3, the European Day of Bicycle, a temporary “pop-up cycle path” is opened in Leipzig, which is organized by the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC). This measure is part of a more comprehensive initiative in which five such bike paths are available to different districts for a few hours. Among the cyclists who use the newly created alternatives is also Bela Pönisch, 23 years old, who had an accident in Lindenau two weeks ago when he got into a tram rails. He suffered a laceration that had to be sewn. On the Harkortstrasse, where the event takes place, he gathered to control his wounds.

Pönisch is optimistic and sees the initiative as a positive sign of improving the cycling infrastructure in Leipzig. Claudia Steffler, 69 years old, who looks after the new cycle path, reports of mixed, but above all positive reactions by the cyclists. As early as 11:30 a.m., Janosch Walde, spokesman for the federal government, counted 163 cyclists who used the pop-up path. Walde emphasizes that despite the low participation of the accident, cyclists make up almost half of all damaged people in traffic.

expansion of the wheel infrastructure

Planning a permanent solution is also the focus of the discussion. The construction of a fixed cycling strip is planned on Harkortstraße by the end of 2025. Both the ADFC and the federal government demand that cycle paths are built structurally from lanes and are not only marked by colored markings. At this point, the question of safe use of cycle path is important. Cycle paths have to be used when a corresponding traffic sign with a white bike is available on a blue background. This applies regardless of whether the bike path is separated from the footpath or used jointly. Without the blue sign, cyclists have the choice between the road and bike path.

It is particularly important to know that the failure of the cycle path usage is only allowed if the bike paths are unusable - for example by roots, snow or other obstacles. In this regard, the ADFC provides extensive information that deals with the review of the obligation to use cycle paths.

Overall, the campaign in Leipzig shows that there is an increasing awareness of the concerns of the cyclists and that the city administration and local organizations strive to reform the cycling infrastructure and to make it more secure. The positive response to the pop-up cycle paths indicates that there is a great desire for better conditions for cyclists among the population.

For more information about the current developments in cycling in Leipzig, the complete reporting can be made under lvz.de as well as the detailed usage of the cycle path under leipzig.adfc.de