Safe cycle path in Blumenthal: Citizens are finally demanding change!

Safe cycle path in Blumenthal: Citizens are finally demanding change!

In Blumenthal, the topic of traffic safety is hotly debated. The Am Steending street in particular is on the residents' agenda. Detlev Hansing, a member of the advisory board, addressed the dangerous situation for pedestrians and cyclists who have to brave the challenges of increasing car traffic there every day. Again Weser courier reports, the Blumenthal advisory board has now once again dealt with this problem, which has existed for 30 years.

At the last meeting, a citizen called for a “continuation of the bicycle lane,” which was supported by Hansing and Martin Hecker from the senior citizens’ advisory board. The two emphasize the need to reduce risks for cyclists and pedestrians. Car traffic has increased significantly in recent years, while speed limits are often ignored.

Need for action in Blumenthal

“We see a growing need for safe cycle paths,” explains Hansing. More and more citizens are getting on their bikes, but the current condition on the Am Steending road does not offer enough space and safety for cyclists. The proposal to create a cycle path separated from the road and the pedestrian path has been floating around for three decades without any concrete action being taken.

However, to build a new cycle path, sufficient space is required, which must be purchased from a property owner. There are problems here because the price expectations between this owner and the municipality differ. The possibility of an expropriation procedure was already being considered, which triggered extensive discussions in politics. Hansing advocates a respectful dialogue between those involved in order to find an acceptable price.

Legal conflicts and possible solutions

But conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists do not only occur in Blumenthal, but in many German cities. According to that ADFC There are often disputes about the limited space on sidewalks and in pedestrian zones. Cycling on non-approved sidewalks is prohibited and can result in hefty fines ranging from 15 to 100 euros, depending on the severity of the offense.

The uncertainties for cyclists are further complicated by the legal clarifications: courts often take into account that cyclists who are on sidewalks without permission are often responsible for providing evidence in the event of an accident. These framework conditions underline the urgency of rethinking transport design. A possible solution could be lowering the maximum speeds on main roads or lifting the requirement to use inner-city cycle paths.

The advisory board Blumenthal and local office manager Oliver Fröhlich have decided to clarify the situation at an on-site meeting with representatives of the Office for Roads and Transport. It remains to be seen whether something will finally move on the issue of safe cycle paths and a fairer distribution of public space for all road users.