Controversial bicycle street in Marienburg: Residents demand a return to the old status!

Controversial bicycle street in Marienburg: Residents demand a return to the old status!

In Cologne-Marienburg, the redesign of Goethestrasse is currently causing major discussions among residents. Since 2019, the Rodenkirchen district council has been pursuing the goal of improving cycling connections in the region. A unanimous decision calls for turning Goethestrasse into a bicycle street, but many citizens consider this unnecessary. ksta.de reports on the unrest that became apparent at a citizen information gathering in the Irmgardis high school at the end of October. Around 80 citizens, many from Goethestrasse, were present to voice their concerns.

There Jürgen Möllers, a representative of the Office for Sustainable Mobility, presented the planned Cologne cycle network and explained possible measures. These include, among other things, white lines in parking areas, safety dividing strips, red accompanying lines and numerous signs and markings. What is particularly controversial is that almost half of the parking spaces on Goethestrasse could be lost, which is met with massive rejection by residents.

Contradictions and withdrawals

Because of the loud protests, the city partially backtracked. How ksta.de reported, the markings that have already been applied will remain in place for the time being, while announced new signs and pictograms will not be installed. Instead of the original eleven pictograms, only two should now be placed at the beginning and end of the street. In addition, 16 planned signs will have to be removed, and the dead-end road to Südpark will remain untouched for the time being.

Nevertheless, the Marienburgers' dissatisfaction remains great. Voices like those of Damian Franzen, the former chairman of the IG Marienburg, are clear: the cycle route is unnecessary. Peter Wolff-Diepenbrock from the Bayenthal-Marienburg Citizens' Association also warns of possible dangers from increased car traffic.

Bicycle-friendly urban planning

The discussion about Goethestrasse is also in the context of an overarching strategy for sustainable mobility. Everywhere in Germany, the expansion of safe cycle paths and bicycle rental systems is becoming increasingly important. How radsport-wulff.de describes, innovative concepts are used to promote cycling. The climate protection plan calls for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, and cycling also plays an important role in this.

Cities like Copenhagen and Amsterdam show that good cycling infrastructure not only increases quality of life, but also reduces CO2 emissions. Well-thought-out urban planning, which also includes pedestrian zones and green spaces, gives citizens new incentives to choose bicycles as their main means of transport.

The future of Goethestrasse now remains in the decision of the newly elected district council. Residents are calling for the original decision to be reversed and are hoping for a solution that takes into account the needs of both cyclists and residents.