High-speed cycle routes in Baden-Württemberg receive federal funding – the Ortenaukreis, the district of Göppingen and the city of Mannheim benefit
Cycle superhighways offer a new level of quality for bicycle traffic thanks to their direct routing and greater width. Numerous fast routes are to be created in the state of Baden-Württemberg. The planning of three cycle superhighways is now being financially supported by the federal government. The Federal Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure is contributing around 6.4 million euros to the planning.
The planned high-speed cycle connections Offenburg – Gengenbach, Ebersbach – Göppingen – Süßen as well as a section of the connection are funded
Mannheim – Viernheim – Weinheim – Darmstadt. The funded section is intended to create a high-speed cycle path connection between Mannheim city center and the grounds of the Federal Garden Show. The federal government contributes 75 percent to the planning costs.
Steffen Bilger, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Minister for Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI): “The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure supports three more rapid cycle routes projects in Baden-Württemberg with over 6 million euros. With rapid cycle routes, we can shift more commuter traffic to the saddle. Cyclists can travel long distances quickly, safely and comfortably on the wide stretches. This makes them a real one Alternative, especially for commuters. “
State Transport Minister Winfried Hermann MdL welcomed the funding from the federal government: “I am grateful to the federal government that we have received funding for three more projects. This means that a total of 15 high-speed cycle routes are currently being planned. Our goal of realizing a total of 20 high-speed cycle routes by 2030 is within reach. In a nationwide comparison, we are at the forefront when it comes to the planning of cycle superhighways. The new ways are a good alternative, especially for commuters, to get to their workplace quickly and safely. The interest in the construction of cycle superhighways is overwhelming. “
To the planned connections:
Offenburg – Gengenbach (RS12)
The planning costs for the eleven kilometer long corridor in the Kinzig valley amount to around two million euros. In addition to the commitment from the federal government of around 1.5 million euros (75 percent), the state is also funding the planning with almost 253,000 euros (12.5 percent). The remaining planning costs of 12.5 percent are shared between the Ortenaukreis and the city of Offenburg.
Frank Scherer, District Administrator of the Ortenaukreis: “I am very pleased that we can take the first steps on the way to the realization of the Radschnellweg. The Radschnellverbindungen is a lighthouse project with supraregional appeal and the first pilot project of its kind in the Ortenaukreis. I would like to thank the Regionalverband Südlicher Oberrhein for the active support – together we can get even more people excited about cycling and make an important contribution to the expansion of climate-friendly mobility. I am sure that this cycle highway will not be the only one. “
The proposals for the route link the cities of Offenburg and Gegenbach and offer direct connections for both residential areas and commercial and industrial areas. The two locations of the Offenburg University of Applied Sciences are also taken into account. Planning can now begin with federal funding. Construction is expected to start in 2026.
Ebersbach – Göppingen – Süßen (RS14)
The planned rapid cycle path in the Filstal between Ebersbach and Süßen is intended to contribute to a significant improvement in quality for cyclists and to shift some of the motor vehicle traffic to bicycle traffic.
Edgar Wolf, District Administrator of the district of Göppingen: “For the ‘bike-friendly district’ of Göppingen it is important to now focus more on everyday cycling. On the central axis in the Filstal, we now have the opportunity to significantly improve the infrastructure with the rapid cycle connection Strengthen and create a contemporary, environmentally friendly mobility offer. In this way we can emphasize the goal of doubling bicycle traffic by 2030. “
The determined potential is 2,000 bike rides per day throughout the entire route. Up to 3,000 cyclists are expected to be on the road every day on sections of the route. The planning costs for the approximately 23 kilometer long corridor amount to around 4.25 million euros. The federal government provides funding of just under 3.2 million euros (75 percent). For the remaining 25 percent, the state and the district bear the costs (approx. 1 million euros).
Mannheim – Viernheim – Weinheim – Darmstadt / Federal Horticultural Show 2023 (RS15)
The planned rapid cycle route 15 is intended to connect central locations in the transnational metropolitan region in the future. The area of the Federal Horticultural Show 2023 in Mannheim is to be connected to the cycle expressway network and to Mannheim city center. The so-called BUGA route, which is around six kilometers long, is being built for this purpose. It is to connect to the approximately 20 kilometer long Heidelberg – Mannheim expressway. This is part of the cross-state cycle highway corridor.
Ralf Eisenhauer, Mayor of Mannheim: “Large parts of the north-east of Mannheim have an additional, new and comfortable route to the city center and other urban areas such as Neuostheim or Oststadt thanks to the Mannheim-Viernheim-Weinheim rapid cycle connection. The attractive new connection is intended to increase the number of cyclists between the city center and the north-east of Mannheim and reduce vehicle loads accordingly. “
Prof. Dr. Diana Pretzell, Mayor of the City of Mannheim: “The Mannheim-Viernheim-Weinheim cycle expressway is another big step towards a sustainable transport turnaround. The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure enables this step, which is so important for us, with its promotion of the cycle expressway. This brings us to Mannheim also consistently in the north of the cycle superhighway system, which already includes the approved Mannheim-Heidelberg route. “
A potential of 2,900 bike rides per day was determined for the BUGA route. The planning costs for the connection section amount to almost 2.3 million euros. The federal government is financing this with 1.7 million euros. Planning in the BUGA area is already in full swing. The start of construction is planned for summer 2021 and will be realized by the City of Mannheim and the Society for Planning and Implementing the Federal Horticultural Show (BUGA gGmbH).
Background information on the promotion of cycle superhighways
To support the federal states and municipalities in the planning and construction of cycle superhighways, the federal government has been providing financial aid of 25 million euros per year since 2017, which is also available over the year. As part of the agreed climate package, this funding was doubled to 50 million euros for the period from 2021 to 2023.
Eligible cycle superhighways are characterized by:
- At least ten kilometers in total
- Are usually 3 meters (one-way traffic) and 4 meters (two-way traffic) wide; Inter-communal, largely crossing-free connection
- Privileged guidance of cyclists
- Are structurally separated from other road users to be expected on a regular basis (especially pedestrians);
- Important connection for everyday cycling: at least 2,000 cyclists in 24 hours on most of the entire route
- Have a high quality surface and a low slope;
- Are operated and maintained permanently and in a roadworthy manner – including winter service.
Cycle superhighways are particularly attractive due to the direct tours with few stops and large widths, especially over longer distances. Due to the increasing use of e-bikes and pedelecs in particular, they have great potential to relieve the main traffic axes on roads and rails, avoid traffic jams and contribute to air pollution control. In the case of cycle superhighways, the average travel speed is increased by the fact that cyclists do not have to stop and wait as often due to non-crossing or preferential tours.
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