More mobility - with safety: a look back at developments in Offenbach's urban transportation in 2024

One step towards greater safety for pedestrians was the introduction of a 30 km/h speed limit at the Albert Schweitzer School at the beginning of the year. This measure protects children and young people in particular and was made possible by an amendment to the road traffic regulations. It applies to drivers during the week during the day between Gabelsbergerstraße and Friedrichsring / Hessenring. In addition, "Attention children" pictograms were placed on the ground at the Humboldt and Goethe schools and near the harbour playground to raise awareness among drivers and reduce their speed.

In July, two crossing aids were added in Dietesheimer Straße to make it easier for pedestrians to cross the road safely. In addition, the road in front of the school in Bieber Nord was temporarily closed on the initiative of the parents' association, as the surrounding roads and sidewalks will only be finally extended once construction work in the new development area has progressed sufficiently. This means that parent cabs in front of the school no longer pose a risk to pupils.

Measures were also implemented in the city center. New road markings were installed at Marktplatz and an innovative pedestrian crossing at Berliner Strasse / Herrnstrasse. The latter reacts automatically as soon as a person enters the detection zone, thus ensuring a safe and speedy crossing. At Marktplatz, new white road markings on Waldstraße make it easier for pedestrians to cross. The 20 km/h speed limit in force there is thus better perceived and makes crossing safer.

The new temporary pedestrian traffic lights on Schumannstraße allow cyclists and pedestrians to cross directly without having to take a detour. The city opted for this quick solution as a permanent traffic light would require extensive civil engineering work.

Numerous improvements have been made for cyclists. In Seligenstädter Straße and Hospitalstraße, markings and changes have been implemented to make cycling safer. In the long term, a cycle lane protected by separating elements is planned for Seligenstädter Straße. In September, the preparatory work for this took place with the application of markings following a road surface renovation. In particular, red markings were applied at critical points such as exits and crossings.

In Hospitalstrasse, the meeting of motor vehicles and cyclists was made safer by alternate parking. The new parking markings also create more space on the sidewalk for pedestrians.

The one-year trial operation of a cycle lane on Waldstraße this year has made it clear that this speeds up bus traffic and that a dedicated bus lane, which could also be used by cyclists, would continue to function as an environmental lane.

At the corner of Karlstraße and Mathildenstraße, the cycle lane across the junction has been marked in red, making it more visible. At the corner of Kaiserstraße and Geleitsstraße, the stopping zone for cyclists in front of the traffic lights is now also more visible thanks to new markings.

In Frankfurter Straße between Ludwigstraße and August-Bebel-Ring, a protective lane has been set up for cyclists in each direction. The streetcar tracks, which were no longer in use, were a considerable source of danger. The decision to install the lane was made by the city council in January.

The surface of the shared footpath and cycle path in front of the old cemetery on Mühlheimer Straße was renewed so that Offenbach residents can get through the city quickly and without bumps. In Tempelseestraße, 3,700 square meters of roadway were also resurfaced with new asphalt. The city also improved the surface on the busy cycle route along the Mainuferweg at the Mainuferparkplatz parking lot.

In Bieber, a total of 24 one-way streets were opened to cycle traffic in both directions. The streets Jahnstraße, Kreuzstraße, Kurfürstenstraße and Schönbornstraße were also added in Bürgel. The opening of one-way streets by the Office for Mobility represents an important step towards promoting mobility by bicycle, as it enables cyclists to take shorter and more direct routes.

Another highlight was the expansion of the range of e-cargo bikes offered by the Office for the Environment and Climate. Due to the high demand, two additional rental stations were set up - in addition to the existing station on Seligenstädter Straße in Bieber, there is now also an option to rent an e-cargo bike at the Artefakt bike store in the city center. The city has been providing the bikes free of charge for four years now. The offer is made in cooperation with the Rhine-Main regional group of the Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD) and is supported by Offenbach retailers. Further information can be found at: www.offenbach.de/lastenrad

Citizens have also been able to use the extended car sharing service since this year. A total of 56 vehicles can be used at 31 locations. Visibility has changed in particular, as the new parking spaces are located in public areas. Previously, these were only located in private spaces such as backyards or parking garages. Further information and a map showing all Offenbach car sharing stations can be found at: www.offenbach.de/carsharing

In December, the first e-charging station was installed in a public space in Offenbach. EVO installed the first station with two charging points on Senefelderstraße; commissioning is planned for the beginning of next year. A total of 50 further locations are to follow successively by the end of 2025.

In addition to improving mobility, noise reduction and air pollution control were also taken into account. A new traffic barrier on Bierbrauerweg will help to reduce noise and CO2 emissions for local residents.

"Overall," said the mayor, "it is clear that Offenbach 2024 has implemented many successful measures to improve road safety and promote sustainable mobility."