Big crowd at the bike demo in Freising: Cyclists are tough on the city and have far-reaching demands.
BY RICHARD LORENZ
Freising - The criticism of the speakers at the big bike demo in Freising last Friday was clear, clear and unison: the city clearly lacks the will to make the cathedral city a liveable bike city.
A lack of cycle paths, a lack of commitment and a preference for the western bypass - those in charge of the cycling demo, which led through the city via the Hochtrasse to Lerchenfeld and back, found clear words about their displeasure.
Around 380 bike fans had come to send a clear message.
The prelude
At 5 p.m. there was no more free space on Marienplatz: “Bicycle-Race” by Queen was of course the perfect sound to get in the mood.
While the Freising police were still taking the final steps, Jürgen Maguhn from the Radentscheid already started: “We are not at all satisfied with the situation.” In his opinion, it is finally time to enforce the will of the people: among other things, protected cycle paths on roads with high traffic or fast cycling routes.
According to Maghun, a lot has long been on the city's agenda - only there would be “huge problems in implementation”.
Freising would still prioritize the car, and according to Maguhn there is a lack of competence in the administrative area.
In his opinion, the realm of dreams also includes the promise that everything will be better for cyclists in the city with the western bypass.
Funding for wheel dismantling was also repeatedly canceled, which, in his opinion, could be related to an excessively high subsidy levy for the western bypass.
Desire
Michael Stanglmaier from the General German Bicycle Club would like a “humane” city.
The citizens' initiative Radentscheid is not only important for Freising, but also as a signal effect beyond the city to promote attractive inner cities.
Because: The cathedral city is far too crowded, pedestrians and cyclists have to “squeeze through” everywhere.
In his opinion, the corona pandemic has shown how quickly a mobility concept can change - Barcelona and Paris have drawn their conclusions and rethought.
In this country, however, citizens would have to make do with Andreas Scheuer - the "Donald Trump" of transport policy, according to Stanglmaier.
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The route took the demo participants out of the city center via Ziegelgasse into Kammergasse in the direction of Mainburger Strasse, Hochtrasse and Lerchenfeld.
© Lehmann
The bicycle is undoubtedly the key to the change in traffic, it is inexpensive and also healthy: "Cycling is one of the best medicines we have."
The demo bike ride ran smoothly and peacefully: The chosen route, which was partially closed due to the high number of participants, led via Kammergasse to Lerchenfeld, via Rabenweg to Korbinansbrücke and finally back to the starting point in the direction of the train station.
The participants
The 33-year-old Freiberian Eva Gruber was also there with her four-year-old son Lenz.
What bothers them: the enormous traffic in the city center and the confusing overall situation.
According to Gruber, looking for sidewalks is especially dangerous for children.
Freising-born André Peterschun, 46, also finds the cycling situation “expandable”.
The access roads in particular should urgently be made more bicycle-friendly.
The 60-year-old Philipp Lacher from Freising, on the other hand, criticizes the lack of connection to Lerchenfeld: "This is not a bicycle city, but a car city."
The end
At the end of the demo, two councilors from Freising demanded a clear yes to the marginal decision, which would only be a thousand votes short of success and the speedy implementation of the mobility concept. Nico Heitz (Bündnis 90 / Die Grünen) reported from a Freising bicycle dealer who I no longer manage to order bicycles and complained about the in many places too narrow bike paths for cargo bikes.
"Freising overslept a lot," said Emilia Kirner (ödp), her party wanted to support the bicycle movement 25 years ago - unfortunately unsuccessfully.
Fanny Wirth from “Fridays for Future” calls for a car-free city center.
In addition, it would make more sense to redesign Erdinger Straße in Lerchenfeld into a bicycle street instead of “just painting a mark on the floor”.
Richard Lorenz
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