The new road traffic regulations contain some improvements for cyclists. Newly introduced traffic signs could also be useful in Bruck, you can find at the local ADFC. But the reform is nothing more than a start.
Fürstenfeldbruck - "That was overdue," says Adi Stumper from the board of the ADFC Fürstenfeldbruck. The new traffic regulations, which have recently come into force, are a big step in the right direction. Especially in the urban area, they are not yet thought through to the end. It remains important to improve the infrastructure for cyclists. “If you want to get people to change trains, you also have to create the appropriate bike paths,” says Stumper. He also sees potential for improvement in Fürstenfeldbruck due to the new legal options.
For more safety on the donkey, the road traffic regulations (StVO) now stipulate a minimum distance of 1.5 meters, which drivers must keep when overtaking cyclists. "Drivers will have to be more patient," says Stumper. There is not enough space everywhere to maintain this distance. On Schöngeisinger Straße, for example, you have to completely switch to the oncoming lane.
In fact, an overtaking ban
"And in the hinterland there are some roads that don't have the necessary width," says Stumper. There is actually a ban on overtaking. "Cyclists and drivers will have to come to an amicable agreement if necessary."
Motorists have to be patient: in narrow streets or in oncoming traffic, the new rules actually lead to a ban on overtaking in some places.
© Weber
The fine for parking cycle paths is increased from 15 to 30 to 55 to 100 euros. “But that's not a big problem in Bruck,” says Stumper. Rather, it is very dangerous on the wheel protection strips that are painted on the road. According to the new StVO, stopping there will be completely prohibited in the future. The three-minute exception for loading and unloading no longer applies. The bigger problem, however, is that, according to Stumper, protective strips are “generously ignored and driven over instead of only being used for evasion” - for example on the Sulzbogen in Bruck's west.
A new green arrow for cyclists has also been introduced, which allows turning right even at red traffic lights. Like the green arrow, it applies to drivers as it stands on the corner of Oskar-von-Miller- and Bahnhofstrasse in Bruck - only for cyclists only. The green arrow for drivers also applies to accompanying cycle paths, as the StVO now clarifies.
"I can already imagine a few places in Bruck where we can put the arrow," says Stumper. For example on the corner of Rotschwaiger and Heimstättenstraße. However, the ADFC member sees a danger if pedestrians are already green and cross the path of the cyclists.
Driving on the sidewalk
The new regulation also makes cyclists more obligated. Driving on the sidewalk becomes more expensive. So far, the law enforcement officers have been collecting ten to 25 euros for this, in future it will be 55 to 100 euros. The ADFC has long pointed out that cycling on sidewalks is ruthless and dangerous. Stumper: "That only creates supposed security."
Priority is given to some new traffic signs for cyclists, for example the bicycle zone, in which cyclists have priority over cars. Or the cycle expressway, which is reserved for bicycles with a few exceptions.
Where cyclists have right of way, the “shark teeth” known from the Netherlands - triangles painted on the ground, the tips of which point towards drivers - can now attract more attention. "The shark teeth would be worth considering, for example, on the Feuerhausstrasse in the direction of Emmering," says Stumper.
In Stumper's view, it is not only important to get the new road traffic regulations in mind. Rather, you have to achieve a general rethink. "The definition of traffic in Germany always refers only to motor vehicles." That has to change. "All road users must be rated the same." The new road traffic regulation is a start. "But it depends on the fact that it is also controlled."
The main rules
The nine most important new rules of the Road Traffic Regulations on cycling: 1 .: When overtaking, drivers must keep a minimum distance of 1.5 meters from the cyclist. 2 .: Whoever parks bike paths will have to shell out 55 to 100 euros instead of 15 to 30 in the future. 3 .: Anyone who endangers a cyclist when turning must face a fine of 140 instead of the previous 70 euros - and a month's driving ban. Anyone who endangers a cyclist when opening the car door now pays 40 euros instead of 20. 4 .: Motorists will in future be prohibited from stopping on protective strips. 5 .: Trucks are only allowed to turn right at walking pace to give the driver more time to see the turning process. 6 .: Cyclists will be allowed to ride side by side in the future if they do not hinder traffic. 7 .: A green arrow for cyclists allows cyclists to turn right even at red traffic lights. 8 .: From now on, adults and teenagers can also be taken on cargo bikes. So far, it was only allowed to take children up to seven years old. 9 .: The fine for cycling on the sidewalk is increased from ten to 25 to 55 to 100 euros.
