Frankfurt and Baunatal: Cyclists celebrate surprising progress!

Frankfurt and Baunatal: Cyclists celebrate surprising progress!

Frankenberg, Deutschland - Cycling in Hessen shows signs of improvement: The general German bicycle club (ADFC) draws a positive balance from the current bicycle climate test 2024, even if not everything is gold that shines. The test, which was presented in Wiesbaden, evaluates the bicycle friendliness in 1,047 cities nationwide and used around 213,000 cyclists: inside for a survey with around 30 questions about the bike path offer and the coexistence in traffic. While the survey is not representative, it reflects the opinions of many users. Stern reports that cyclists above all complain that the safety distance is too low when overtaking through cars. Measurements with special devices confirm these impressions.

The numbers speak a clear language: Frankfurt am Main leads the nationwide ranking of the big cities with over 500,000 inhabitants. The main metropolis reaches an average value of 3.49 and has seen the expansion of around 40 kilometers of new cycle paths since 2019, often in the wide design of 2.30 meters. Nevertheless, there is also a need for action here, especially when controlling false parkers and traffic lights.

The winners in detail

The evaluation also brings to regional winners. For example, Baunatal in the Kassel district has the front of the cities with 20,000 to 50,000 inhabitants for the fourth time. This small city achieves a remarkable average of 2.53. Frankenberg (Waldeck-Frankenberg district) has drawn attention to itself in the categories of the best. They were recognized as the "best catching up" after they have invested in the construction of cycling and foot bridges and new cycle paths in recent years, with the entire project volume, which was 13 million euros, funded by the federal government and country.

where is the trip to Hesse?

The results of the 2024 bicycle climate test were eagerly awaited by the participants. Between September and November 2024, the ADFC interviewed the cyclists about the conditions on site in order to maintain their lifestyle and realistic feedback. The ADFC bicycle climate test is the largest of its kind and took place for the eleventh time in 2024, supported by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Traffic from the national cycling plan. One goal of the test is to give the political managers and the traffic planners concrete information to improve the infrastructure. ADFC clearly shows that 70% of the cyclists surveyed feel unsafe in road traffic, especially due to narrow, often also parked cycle paths.

A look at the nationwide results shows that a total of two thirds of the cities with more than 500,000 inhabitants were able to make progress, while numerous smaller cities still have some catching up to do. [Utopia] (https://utopia.de/adfc-test--s-------- bike-friendly- and-church-germany_823867/) emphasizes that Nuremberg was able to upgrade through new bike paths and clever traffic lights, while Leipzig benefited from improved false parking controls. In addition to Frankfurt, Hanover and Bremen are also there in the ranking of the most bicycle -friendly big cities. The ADFC continues to demand separate cycle paths on the main traffic axes and country roads to guarantee more security for cyclists and to switch to the bike more attractive.