Waldstraße: opening of the cycle lanes is imminent
05.07.2023 – Anyone who only travels around Offenbach on two wheels instead of four knows that the infrastructure for cycling still needs to be improved in many places to make it safer and easier to get around.
Like many other cities, the city of Offenbach is also pushing for the necessary traffic turnaround. The aim is to reduce the impact of traffic jams, noise, pollutants and climate change and to improve the quality of life. In September 2022, the city councillors passed the resolution "For a bicycle-friendly city of Offenbach am Main", instructing the city council to improve the infrastructure for cyclists. As the first major measure resulting from this resolution, the city is now closing a gap in the cycling network on Waldstraße: two of the four lanes previously reserved primarily for car traffic will be converted into cycle lanes for an initial period of one year. From mid-July, motorized traffic and cyclists will have their own lane in each direction. The one-year trial operation between Bleichstraße and Friedrichsring or Hessenring was approved by the city councillors in February 2023 as an immediate measure.
Many cyclists already use Waldstraße as an important north-south axis. However, they often avoid the sidewalk for fear of the fast and narrow passing vehicles. "On Waldstraße, we see a situation that still exists in many cities today: The large and important traffic axes are used almost exclusively by motorized traffic, creating a barrier for pedestrians and thus separating individual areas in the city from one another. Cyclists or people who would be willing to cycle often feel unsafe and parents don't dare to let their children cycle," says the mayor, who is responsible for mobility as well as children and young people, explaining why the city is reacting here. "My aim is for everyone to be able to move around our city more safely, whether on foot, by bike or by car. With the trial operation on Waldstraße, we are distributing the road space more fairly and clearly assigning different areas to cyclists and motorists. This avoids conflicts and increases safety."
With their decision, the city councillors have set up an advisory committee for the implementation of the individual projects. The specific plans for Waldstraße were presented to this advisory committee, which includes representatives from the city's specialist planners, the Radentscheid, the Chamber of Industry and Commerce, the Chamber of Crafts, the ADAC, the ADFC and Offenbach's bus companies. The transport commission then looked at the plans. The ideas and suggestions from these bodies were taken into account. As a result, public transport buses will be able to use the cycle lane to improve traffic flow on Waldstraße and speed up journey times.
Implementation will initially take place in a one-year trial operation. "We will decide whether the bicycle-friendly redesign of Waldstraße should be continued after that on the basis of data collected by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences under the direction of Professor Dr. Jürgen Follmann," says Sabine Groß. The university will observe whether backlogs form at the junctions and whether traffic diverts into the side streets. Possible points of conflict with other road users will be identified and eliminated where possible. At the end of the trial operation, there will be a final report, on the basis of which a decision will be made about permanent operation.
"With the trial operation, we also want to ensure that citizens engage with the necessary changes in the urban traffic area and are very happy to receive suggestions," motivates Jürgen Follmann from Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences. "We can only master the necessary efforts for climate protection and a safe and inviting transport infrastructure for everyone by working together. Compromises are always necessary."
These and other cycling measures are important goals for the city. "In the end, everyone benefits from fewer cars and traffic jams: Residents, commuters, schoolchildren, suppliers, refuse collection and care and emergency services. With the climate and energy crisis and the problems of noise and air pollution breathing down our necks, I believe politicians have a duty to make it easier for everyone who wants to do so to switch to cycling. In a survey, almost half of Germans stated that cycling was too dangerous for them. Improvements to the infrastructure are an important building block in the transition," says Groß. "Over the past few weeks, I've spoken to many local residents on Waldstrasse and I've been surprised at how much positive feedback I've received for the upcoming trial operation," Groß continues: "From the AOK health insurance company to the Nußbaumer butcher's shop, the Albert Schweitzer School, the El-Fath Mosque and the Mirjamgemeinde community to the local daycare center."
The changes to Waldstrasse will be announced with information banners in the street when implementation begins. The residents of Waldstraße were the first to be informed of the upcoming trial operation via a letter from the city. The implementation will also be accompanied on the city's information channel "BikeOffenbach" on Facebook and Instagram.
Further information:
Voices of local residents:
Health insurance company AOK, Riyad Salhi, Press Office: "Every sensible measure that a city invests in local transport mobility will pay off. In this respect, we welcome the initiative of the city of Offenbach, which also fits in with the goals of the National Cycling Plan 3.0."
Sebastian Wasserka, Headmaster of the Albert Schweitzer School: "Offenbach is a large city in a small area. Schools within the city limits, such as the ASS, can often be reached by bike without any problems. The expansion and maintenance of cycle paths is particularly important for this. In the interests of a sustainable transformation of Offenbach with a view to ecological aspects, the ASS school community therefore supports the planning and construction of a cycle path on Waldstraße."
The student council of the Albert Schweitzer School: "Safe routes to school are essential for us pupils. Pupils at the Albert Schweitzer School come to school by bike, so they depend on safe and good cycle paths. With the hope of less noise and particulate pollution for a pleasant learning environment and the safety to be gained for all pupils, we look to the future with confidence."
Jürgen Nußbaumer from the Nußbaumer butcher's shop: "In the butcher's shop, the customers are the most important thing for us. When there is less noise on the street thanks to the new trial bike lane, my customers and my team are also happy. Some customers also come to us by bike. We therefore welcome this measure on Waldstrasse. The cycle lane is not aimed at the car world - we have to share the space in the city."
El-Fath Mosque community council: "We are delighted about a new cycle lane on Waldstraße as part of the traffic trial. Many of our community members live in the city center or in the suburbs and come to the mosque from there by bike. Waldstrasse is very busy, so they have to be careful. A cycle path means more safety for us and our members on bicycles. We are also happy about less noise and exhaust fumes when we open the windows."
Kita Mirjamgemeinde, Tanja Kunz, head of the daycare center: "As parents of the children who attend the daycare center of the Protestant Mirjamgemeinde at the Lutherkirche and as pedagogical professionals who work in the daycare center, we would like to express our great support for the planned trial operation of a bicycle lane on Waldstraße, which runs directly past our facility. We are convinced that this measure will make a significant contribution to improving road safety for our children and for all of us.
The use of a dedicated cycle lane, which is specially secured for bicycle traffic, creates a clear separation between cars and cyclists. This reduces the risk of accidents and increases the safety of all road users, especially our children. A cycle lane also encourages families to use bicycles as an environmentally friendly means of transportation. This not only helps to reduce traffic congestion, but also promotes the physical health and fitness of our children.
The planned trial operation offers the opportunity to test the effects and benefits of a cycle lane in the immediate vicinity of our daycare center. We hope that the positive results of this test phase will create the basis for permanent implementation. Finally, we would like to thank all those responsible for the safety of our children and for promoting innovative solutions such as the cycle lane. We fully support this project and hope for a successful implementation for the benefit of our children and the entire community."
Evangelische Mirjamgemeinde Offenbach, Louisa Frederking, Pastor: "We, the church council and the staff of the Mirjamgemeinde, welcome the introduction of a cycle lane on Waldstraße. Many of the people who work in the Lutherkirche - churchgoers, volunteers, staff, members of the choir, parents who pick up their children from events - come by bike. We have set up numerous bicycle stands on our premises, which are always very well used. Waldstraße is one of Offenbach's main traffic arteries. The more people cycle, the safer cycling becomes. Streets should be perceived as a public space, not just as a traffic axis for motorists. We are therefore in favor of securing Waldstraße by creating a lane for cyclists."