Cologne's cyclists hold courage: small improvements in satisfaction

Cologne's cyclists hold courage: small improvements in satisfaction

Ehrenfeld, Deutschland - In Cologne, cycling is increasingly becoming a topic, but the mood among the cyclists is mixed. Despite a slight increase in satisfaction, such as the Kölner Stadt-Einsiger Large cities weak. A current survey, which took place between September and November 2024, illustrates that many Cologne cyclists still express dissatisfaction about blocked bike paths and too tight traces. Glass shards on the routes also cause annoyance.

As part of the ADFC bicycle climate test, which takes up these problems, Cologne ranks 11th among 15 metropolises with more than 500,000 inhabitants. The city in the ranking has easily improved from 12th place in 2022, but remains behind Düsseldorf. The survey showed that the survey are particularly evaluated by the accessibility of the city center and the possibility of driving one -way streets in the opposite direction. Nevertheless, cyclists are missing missing controls in false parkers, unfavorable traffic lights and narrow bike paths.

A look at the success and challenges

to emphasize particularly positively are the “Ring -Free” project in the city center and Venloer Straße in Ehrenfeld, which have contributed to improving the reviews. Nevertheless, many districts in Cologne must continue to do without a sustainable bicycle traffic concept, which presses satisfaction. The Kalk district in particular receives a red card here.

Another topic is the bicycle speed between Frechen and Cologne, which has been planned for a long time. This project was put on hold due to financial difficulties, which Christoph Schmidt from the ADFC calls an "embarrassment". However, the city has set itself the goal of becoming climate -neutral by 2035, which would provide a dramatic decline in car traffic by two thirds.

A nationwide commitment is missing

Unfortunately, the lack of expansion of the bicycle traffic infrastructure is a hot iron. NRW municipalities are calling for more state support to expand their bike paths. The adfc-bicycle climatest shows that the situation is unsatisfactory in many places. Especially in cities like Dortmund, Essen and Duisburg, cyclists are more dissatisfied than ever.

The current survey makes it clear that the need for improvements is great. While 80% of the respondents find the cycle paths too narrow, 70% are dissatisfied with their own safety when cycling. Reason enough for traffic planners to take the voice of the cyclists seriously.

Overall, it turns out that a lot of potential is slumbering in cycling promotion. In some cities such as Aachen, Münster and Freiburg, cycling is already much better promoted, while Cologne and similar metropolises still have to grow vigorously. So if it is serious to us with a more bicycle -friendly city, a good hand is required - both for those responsible and with the cycling citizens.