2023-04-25 07:00:00
Bremen is currently the most bicycle-friendly metropolis in Germany, ahead of Frankfurt and Hanover. Münster takes first place among cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants. However, the happiest cyclists seem to be on the road in the North Rhine-Westphalian municipality of Wettringen, according to the so-called “bicycle climate” test conducted by the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC). 245,000 people took part in the non-representative survey, which took place every two years in autumn 2022 for the tenth time.
And they rated the cycling climate in Germany as rather unsatisfactory with a grade of 3.96. In many places, the infrastructure does not meet the wishes and expectations of cyclists. 80 percent find the cycle paths too narrow, 72 percent are dissatisfied with the illegal parking checks on cycle paths and 70 percent of those questioned do not feel safe when cycling. However: where a lot is done for the bike, the cycling climate also improves. The promotion of cycling measures is recognized and rewarded. If cyclists find wide cycle paths, good rental bikes and enough safe parking spaces, they are happier and rate their municipalities better.
According to the ADFC survey, metropolitan areas in particular are catching up when it comes to the attractiveness of cycling. Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg and Cologne are the up-and-coming top cities in their size class. Here the cycling climate has improved so much that they raise the overall average of their class (overall rating 4.0). However, there is a need to catch up in rural areas. The basic conditions for cycling are better in small towns and communities because there is more space and short distances within the towns. Nevertheless, the cycling climate there is not good (grade 3.8). Less than half of the participants stated that neighboring towns can be reached directly and easily (44 percent). Only around a third of those surveyed feel safe from accidents between locations (36 percent).
The winning municipality of Wettringen shows how things can be done differently: the small town in North Rhine-Westphalia not only takes first place in its size class, but also the best of all overall ratings (2.0), for which it received the special “Cycling in rural areas” prize. Wettringen manages this with good and comfortable cycle paths to the neighboring towns. Such connections between places are important in order to reach the nearest school, doctor or baker safely and comfortably. (awm)
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