Cologne mayoral candidate Feuser: Luxemburger Straße is a death trap!”

Cologne mayoral candidate Feuser: Luxemburger Straße is a death trap!”

Cologne's transport policy is simmering. At a recent panel discussion in the Deutzer BürgerhausInga Feuser, the candidate for the office of mayor of Cologne for the group Gut & Klimafreunde, found clear words. This discussion was organized by 24 Cologne climate and environmental groups and primarily addressed the urgent problem of climate protection, which they believe is being neglected in the current election campaign. “The issue of climate must finally be the focus,” demands Feuser, pointing his finger at the wound of transport policy in Cologne.

She described Luxemburger Strasse in particular as a “death zone for cyclists”. This drastic assessment is not only based on your personal perception: Despite the introduction of the 30 km/h speed limit, safety on the cycle paths remains an illusion. Feuser also sees a need for action on the Belt and is pushing for the reduction of lanes in order to make mobility safer and more environmentally friendly.

The transport transition: A must for Cologne

For Cologne politics, this transport turnaround also means a return to the needs of the city's residents. Last year, the transport sector proved to be one of the largest CO2 emitters in Germany and emitted around 165 million tonnes of CO2 in 2019 - a fact that is due to the high use of cars.A transport transition is necessary to achieve the climate goalsand to promote citizens' health and social participation. Feuser also criticized the CDU and SPD's subway plans as financially burdensome and a hindrance to an effective transport transition.

“No construction project in Cologne was completed without cost overruns,” warns Feuser. She advocates a revision of the mobility infrastructure and calls not only for more efficient planning, but also better support for citizens in these processes. “We need more advice centers to actively involve people,” is their demand.

Sustainable energy transition as a goal

Another central theme in Feuser's vision for Cologne is the heat transition and the city's conversion to 100 percent renewable energy.Pressure, particularly from a citizens' initiative, has already led to the city council adopting a roadmap to convert both electricity and heat to renewable energies by 2035. This step is crucial because the citizens of Cologne are demanding a climate-neutral supply system in order to achieve the 1.5°C target.

A particular focus is on the local heating supply in Feuser's Nippes district, where she is calling for more support for the heating transition. She also criticized the fact that Cologne is considered a wind turbine-free zone in the regional plan. “We need wind power to achieve climate neutrality,” she said, expressing her displeasure with the CDU’s argument that bird protection is used against wind power.

The current situation requires quick action and a return to practical measures. While Feuser points out the need for change, it remains exciting to see how Cologne voters will decide and whether climate protection can form the heart of the coming political discussions.