Cyclists should pay for cycle paths and safety themselves: Coburg FDP city councilors are demanding a vignette

Created: 2022-04-06 13:54

By: Thomas Eldersch

If two FDP city councilors have their way, cyclists in Coburg should have to buy a vignette in the future.

© Nicolas Armer/dpa

A vignette is intended to finance new cycle paths and improve safety.

This is what it says in an application by two FDP city councilors from Coburg.

Coburg – switch to the bike for the sake of the environment.

Or switch to an alternative due to the Ukraine crisis and the associated price increases at the petrol pumps.

Do something for your health again.

There are many good reasons to switch to bicycles as a means of transport.

It is an extremely inexpensive means of transport compared to buses, trains and cars, especially once it has been purchased.

However, if two FDP city councilors from Coburg have their way, that should change.

(By the way: Our Bayern newsletter informs you about all the important stories from Bavaria. Register here.)

FDP city councilors apply for a bicycle vignette in Coburg

They submitted an application to the city council of the Upper Franconian city for the introduction of a bicycle vignette.

For the time being, ten euros a year should be enough to promote the expansion of cycle paths in the city and to increase the safety of cyclists.

Her application goes on to say: "We consider this to be an appropriate cost sharing, especially for cyclists, who often pay up to 8,000 euros for their e-bike."

In addition, local politicians expect the introduction of the fee to make a "contribution to road safety".

It goes on to say: “Unfortunately, individual cyclists are not willing to comply with the applicable traffic rules.

[…] The vignette makes it easier to prevent such traffic violations.” The badges on the bike are supposed to be checked by the public order office.

Bicycle vignette in Coburg: LMU expert speaks out against it

This all happened at the end of March.

However, the reactions to the application were so violent that it is still being hotly debated.

128 comments can be found on Wednesday (6 April) under the FDP Coburg Facebook post.

For example, it says: “Incredible.

I shouldn't be surprised if extra3 or Böhmermann would make such a suggestion that the whole country would be laughed at." Or, "the whole thing can no longer be embarrassed".

Another writes: "Cyclists should be paid a bonus."

The geoscientist at the LMU Munich, Dr.

Monika Popp, like that.

She explained to the BR in relation to a study that society loses 85 cents for every kilometer driven.

For every kilometer that is cycled, the company earns 23 cents.

"This study would speak in favor of a bonus instead of a vignette," says Popp.

And when it comes to security, the gain is likely to be small.

"Since the danger mainly emanates from cars, I don't see any basis for arguing for a bicycle vignette." In terms of climate protection, a fee for cycling would be "extremely counterproductive" anyway.

Bicycle vignette in Coburg: ADFC calls the application an April Fool's joke

The ADFC Coburg is of the same opinion.

According to BR, there was talk of an early April Fool's joke.

You have to promote climate-friendly behavior and not charge it with fees.

In addition, many problems remained unresolved with the proposal.

What will happen to the bicycle tourists?

Coburg lies on several national cycle paths.

And how high would the administrative and bureaucratic costs for such a vignette be?

The cycling club therefore categorically rejects the application.

The FDP itself put their proposal into perspective – probably due to the heated debate – again.

This is intended to increase the pressure on politicians.

The infrastructure should be expanded.

According to BR, there are fears that there will be no money left for other investments, such as the renovation of the state theater, the construction of new cycle expressways or cycle bridges.

That's probably why the applicant Hans Heinrich Eidt speaks of a "donation" so that the administration can implement the will of the citizens a little faster.

The topic will probably fuel the spirits of the Coburg population for a long time to come.

Because the application will not be discussed in the city council until the end of April.

The city cannot check whether such a vignette is even permissible at municipal level.

She would have no right to do so, a spokesman told BR.