Conversion on the Mauenheim belt: safe bike paths for nipples in sight!

Conversion on the Mauenheim belt: safe bike paths for nipples in sight!

The city of Cologne gives the starting signal for the conversion of the turning trail on the Mauenheim belt in Nippes. In March 2023, the decision was unanimously in the Nippes district council on the initiative of the SPD, and the preparations are now in full swing. The aim of the renovation is to increase safety for cycling and to improve traffic routing. Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger reports that the conversion to Menheimer Strasse begins and a separation of the lanes for the Create straight traffic and turning vehicles. The existing state in which no lanes are marked is left behind.

The turning path is also widened to offer space for truck's tow curves, which increases safety for all road users. However, around 15 free parking spaces on the edge of the road have to give way. In total, the conversion costs are calculated to around 29,280 euros, and completion is planned for 2027. It should be noted that since autumn 2022 the turning track has been the only way to turn in this section of the belt, since the bridge loop at the end of Kempener Straße is only accessible to cyclists, bus line traffic and emergency vehicles.

bicycle traffic in focus

In addition to the conversion of the turning track, there are also further measures to improve cycling in Cologne. The vehicle right-wing lane is converted from the Mauenheim belt into Kempener Straße to make room for cyclists. From July 17, 2023, the necessary work will begin and are expected to take three weeks, as the city of Cologne explained in a press release (city of Cologne). This turns car traffic directly from the straight lane to Kempener Straße.

The new bike track should be protected by adhesive borders and significantly improve the connection of the cycle paths. An existing two -way bike path is currently too narrow for rising bicycle traffic numbers. Cologne has become known in recent years to take initiatives to promote cycling. According to Wikipedia, bicycle traffic in the city has a share of 25%in the Modal Split in recent years and is on continuous growth course (Wikipedia.

Due to the conversions and conversions, the city would like to ensure that cyclists can navigate more safely and more comfortably through the city. Individual measures to improve the cycle paths are now also being tackled, such as the widening of the walking and cycle path in front of the Nippes district council.

These developments are part of a comprehensive cycling concept that aims to reduce car traffic in Cologne by 2025 by a third. Despite the long -term goals, implementation has been criticized again and again in the past. But the recent steps show that the city is on the right track to transform Cologne into a more cyclist -friendly city.