Cologne's cycle path disaster: Rheinuferstraße is being dismantled!

Cologne's cycle path disaster: Rheinuferstraße is being dismantled!

There is once again turbulent news from the area of ​​cycling in Cologne: The city has decided to dismantle the temporary cycle path on Rheinuferstrasse, known as “Am Ley Stapel”. Work will begin on Thursday, November 6, 2025 to restore the route to its original condition. This means that cars, buses and trucks will soon be able to use the lane that was set up for the cycle path again.

The dismantling is no coincidence. The city administration has clearly communicated that the ongoing costs for the temporary cycle path are not affordable given the current tight budget situation. Loud Cologne City Gazette These monthly costs amount to around 3,775 euros, which results in total expenditure of around 162,325 euros since the temporary arrangement was set up.

The end of a provisional arrangement

The cycle path between the Malakoff Tower and the junction to Heumarkt was created in 2022 as a temporary solution during the renovation of the Rhine promenade. It was originally intended to last eleven months, but remained in place beyond that period. A permanent solution was planned, but this was not discussed in recent council meetings. The Audit Office expressed concerns about the submission, which delayed the decision. The administration makes it clear that the dismantling measure is due to financial considerations.

“However, the provisional cycle route has shown that a wide two-way cycle path is important at this point,” emphasizes the Cologne mobility department. The plan for a permanent cycle path remains in place, and the city of Cologne plans to invest a total of around 1.6 million euros in the infrastructure. After the dismantling, subsoil investigations should be carried out and a new construction schedule should be drawn up. The planned cycle path is expected to be completed in 2026, with construction time estimated at around three months.

A step as part of the National Cycling Plan

The developments in Cologne are also in the context of the national strategy to promote cycling in Germany, the National Cycling Plan 3.0. This program aims to make cycling more attractive, safer and easier. The BMV (Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure) emphasizes that it plays an active role in promoting high-quality cycle path infrastructure and thus improving the quality of life in cities (BMV).

The return of cars to the Rheinuferstrasse could delay cycling planning in Cologne in the short term, but the will remains to strengthen the cycle path infrastructure in the long term. So you have to ask yourself how the city of Cologne can master the challenges of cycling traffic planning in the future and at the same time meet the wishes of cyclists.