Dangerous crossing of the Nordspange: Would an (expensive) bicycle bridge have been necessary here?

Created: 12/30/2021, 07:15 AM

From: Andreas Höger

Critical transition: At this point the Teufelsgraben cycle path crosses the north spade.

Holzkirchen's cycling representative Stefan Oestreich (from left), ADFC local spokeswoman Steffi Seiler and Tim Roll (ADFC district association) would have liked a crossing-free transition through a bridge.

© Thomas Plettenberg

The construction of the Teufelsgraben cycle path between Otterfing and Holzkirchen has finally started this year.

The work is ongoing - and criticism is piling up on a weak point: the crossing of the north spine.

Would a bicycle bridge have been advisable here?

Holzkirchen / Otterfing

- Hartmut Romanski, who will be responsible for pedestrian and bicycle traffic in the market town until 2020, had the idea. When the plans for the Teufelsgraben cycle path along the railway line became concrete four years ago, he brought up a cycle bridge over the north spade. The terrain with the car road a little lower down would have been the obvious choice, the bridge would have led the way into Otterfinger Weg in the direction of the train station without crossing. "Unfortunately, the bridge was rejected for cost reasons," says Stefan Oestreich, who succeeded Romanski last year.

From today's point of view, this decision was probably “hasty and wrong”, believes Oestreich;

In view of the well-filled funding pots and “bike-friendly goals” of transport policy, the bridge might not have been shelved so quickly.

On the other hand: The bridge would have become expensive, admits Oestreich.

It cannot be ruled out that the construction costs would have doubled to the amount of 735,000 euros.

“And the additional structure would have delayed the cycle path again,” believes Oestreich.

Teufelsgraben cycle path: the crossing is difficult to see for drivers

“I heard of such a bridge for the first time only a few weeks ago,” says Holzkirchen's mayor Christoph Schmid (CSU). To the best of his knowledge, the bridge option has never been an issue in political committees. The criticism of the dangerous north spade crossing only started after construction had started in the summer. “The plans weren't secret, the Otterfinger knew them too,” says Schmid. It was clear that this was a critical point: "That's why there were on-site visits with the police and traffic authorities."

Not too much is planned structurally to secure the transition. Coming from Otterfing, the cyclist slows down a left turn that leads to the crossing aid. The waiting area on the island has been widened from two to 2.50 meters so that there is space for a bicycle. "But there is still too little for a cargo bike or a bike with a trailer," said Tim Roll from the ADFC district association when he recently inspected the situation with ADFC colleague Steffi Seiler (responsible for Holzkirchen) and Oestreich.

“The transition is really unfavorable,” says Oestreich.

From both directions, drivers can only see the passage late - there is a speed limit of 50.

Otterfinger municipal councilors, including Ulrike Stockmeier (FLO), fear that Otterfinger youths are exposed to too great a danger on their way to school.

Lighting is provided to draw drivers' attention to the crossing.

Warning signs (“cyclists cross”) and banners are intended to increase awareness.

Schmid also wants to check the use of school helpers and increasingly use traffic monitoring to discipline high-speed drivers.

A traffic light would hinder cars - and cyclists

“I'm afraid that won't be enough,” believes Oestreich. After the route is completed, he would like traffic counts in the spring to get valid data on the number of bicycles and cars at the crossing. He doesn't think much of markings: “That gives the impression of a security that doesn't exist.” If there is a need for action, especially when it comes to getting to school, you have to think about a push light. “But that would seriously hinder both cars and cyclists,” says Oestreich.

So build an expensive bridge after all?

“Maybe the bridge can be retrofitted,” suggests Otterfings Mayor Michael Falkenhahn (SPD).

It is well known that the Teufelsgraben-Passage will one day become part of a large high-speed cycle connection from Munich to Lake Tegernsee.

An essential feature should be the continuity - with few (dangerous) crossing points that cause a halt.

“Maybe the bridge can become an issue again when the next section is due,” says Falkenhahn.

"It would be a sign that bicycle traffic is worth as much as car traffic," says Tim Roll.

More on this topic can be found here.