Opening one-way streets for cycling in the opposite direction

Where it is possible, there is a legal obligation to do so under road traffic regulations. If the maximum permitted speed is no more than 30 km/h and the width of the road allows it, cycling in one-way streets in the opposite direction is permitted. The approval and marking is carried out in accordance with the specifications of the Hesse Working Group for Local Mobility (AGNH) (opens in a new tab), and financial support was successfully obtained from the state of Hesse for the implementation in Bieber.

The opening of 24 one-way streets in Offenbach's Bieber district means that six of a total of 106 parking spaces in the following streets will be eliminated: Matthias-Erzberger-Straße, Am Aussichtsturm, Bergstraße and Im Frankfurter Grund. This is partly due to the traffic situation and the funding conditions of the state of Hesse. Parking spaces have only been eliminated where sight lines and secure parking areas are necessary to ensure the safety of all road users. The requirements of the funding body are also based on this. These were taken into account during implementation.

One example is the junction of Matthias-Erzberger-Straße and Hamburger Straße. Entrances and driveways to main roads must be equipped with entry and exit gates. This was only possible at this point by removing two parking spaces.

According to a parking space study from 2017, a large number of residential units in the Bieber district also have private parking spaces, but these are not always used for their intended purpose. There are many reasons for this: garages are used as storage space or the driveways to them are used as a location for flower pots or garbage cans. It should therefore be possible to compensate for the loss of six parking spaces in the one-way street clearance area by at least partially using parking spaces properly.

According to the Federal Highway Research Institute (opens in a new tab), approved one-way streets have a positive impact on road safety. This is also reflected in the experience in Offenbach. Contrary to fears expressed by the police, there have been no accidents involving cyclists using the opened one-way streets in the opposite direction in accordance with the rules since the increased opening of the one-way streets in 2013.

In Bürgel, sections of the following one-way streets will be opened to cycle traffic in the opposite direction at the end of October: Jahnstraße, Kreuzstraße, Kürfürstenstraße and Schönbornstraße. In addition to the necessary signage, road markings and pictograms will be installed at critical points, such as intersections and junctions. These serve to improve the visibility of cyclists and sensitize all road users to move carefully in traffic. In contrast to Bieber, no red road markings are planned in Bürgel, as a 30 km/h speed limit already applies on the main roads there and the average speeds of motorized traffic are therefore lower. The parking facilities in the approved road sections could be maintained as far as possible.

In the medium term, it will be possible to open up further one-way streets to cycle traffic. However, as this will require adjustments to the affected traffic lights, these sections will be implemented later due to the greater amount of work involved.