No solution, but many approaches: It is particularly dangerous for cyclists here in Feldkirchen
Created: 05/24/2022, 13:22
By: Bert Brosch
A big annoyance for all cyclists: the bridge over the autobahn on the new B 471. Curbs that are much too high, cyclists have to cross the road and then stand in front of a sidewalk.
© Bert Brosch
The motto was clear: "We want cycling to be safer," said the mayor.
And so a group toured through Feldkirchen to neuralgic points.
Feldkirchen
– What are the problems with cycling in Feldkirchen?
What is there to improve?
Questions that the community is now investigating.
15 cyclists met with Mayor Andreas Janson (UWV), the municipal cycling officer Michael Reiprich and traffic planner Andreas Bergmann to cycle through the town, look at critical points and then talk about the cycling concept.
There is no "one" solution, but there are many small approaches.
For years there has been a consensus in the municipal council and among the citizens that cycling in Feldkirchen is not great fun and is sometimes even very dangerous.
"We have to and we want to do something to make cycling nicer, better and safer in town," Janson welcomed the citizens in the council chamber.
The first step was to apply for membership in the "Working Group for Cycle-Friendly Municipalities" (AGFK).
"Next, we carried out a written public survey together with the "Stadt, Land, Verkehr" planning office, whose representative Andreas Bergmann is here today," says Janson.
The third step was marked by the citizens' workshop, where all interested parties could discuss neuralgic points and make suggestions.
“But many are afraid to drive on the road”
Traffic planner Bergmann explained that in addition to the most critical point in the town center, the intersection between the B 471 and Münchner Straße, there are numerous other problems: either there are no cycle paths at all, or there are some that are not to be considered cycle paths under traffic law.
Cyclists would have to share the sidewalk with pedestrians, senior citizens and prams, leading directly past house and business entrances or exits.
"But many are afraid to drive on the road," said Bergmann.
In contrast to other federal states, red lanes or markings for cyclists are not desired in Bavaria, and are only permitted at high risk points and if the road is at least seven meters wide.
"There aren't many in Feldkirchen."
Bergmann therefore suggested introducing a 30 km/h speed limit wherever possible.
"We've done that on almost all local roads by now," said Janson.
Bergmann also named many signs in the local area "Cyclist allowed on the road".
This increases acceptance and consideration.
“Cycle lanes are also very good, and 'right before left' at all conceivable intersections, that slows you down.
Above all, we need more mutual consideration, between cars and cyclists, but also between cyclists and pedestrians," said Bergmann.
What needs improvement?
Citizens pinned their suggestions to the bulletin board.
© Bert Brosch
Simone Kister-Betz is a passionate racing cyclist.
“But I only ride on the bike path if it is very well developed, otherwise my tires will break.
And when I drive on the street, then in the middle, then the cars are more considerate.” Another woman called for 30 km/h on all streets in Feldkirchen.
"That's not possible because of the federal highway," said Bergmann.
Norbert Steinmeier from the Bund Naturschutz is annoyed about the B 471, which leads from the south to Feldkirchen: "There is a bike path with very high curbs, where you can only push and suddenly it's a sidewalk, that's not planning." Loud Reiprich informed the municipality of this in advance to the road construction office and Autobahn GmbH, "but they weren't interested".
Several citizens called for a bypass to keep traffic out of the center.
Janson: "Our big goal is this bypass, we are intensively behind it, then we could reduce the Münchner and Hohenlindner Straße to local streets with a speed of 30."
More news from Feldkirchen and the district of Munich can be found here.
