Cycle path between Waakirchen and Reichersbeuern: a lot of celebrities at the groundbreaking ceremony

Created: 08/10/2022, 07:00

By: Christina Jachert-Maier

Ground-breaking ceremony with symbolic power: (from left) Norbert Kerkel, Stefan Leitner, Olaf von Löwis, Josef Niedermaier, Ilse Aigner, Alexander Radwan and Ernst Dieckmann.

Photo: Thomas Plettenberg © Thomas Plettenberg

1.5 kilometers of cycle path along the main road: not really a big deal.

But the groundbreaking ceremony was attended by district administrators, mayors, members of the Bundestag and, as a surprise guest, Ilse Aigner, President of the Bundestag - by bike.

Waakirchen

- The new cycle path connects Waakirchen with Reichersbeuern and thus also the district of Miesbach with the district of Bad Tölz/Wolfratshausen.

The Rosenheim State Building Authority completed the initial preparatory work in February, and construction is now beginning.

An event for which the State Building Authority held an official groundbreaking ceremony and placed a lectern on the green field next to the earth that had just been torn up.

Stefan Leitner, head of road construction at the Rosenheim office, welcomed the mayors Norbert Kerkel (Waakirchen) and Ernst Dieckmann (Reichersbeuern), the district administrators Olaf von Löwis (Miesbach) and Josef Niedermaier (Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen) and the member of the Bundestag Alexander Radwan (CSU).

They had promised in advance that they would come, while Ilse Aigner (CSU), President of the State Parliament, was not to be expected.

But the passionate cyclist rolled up sportily with her bike, in the dress of the BR Radltour 2018, sunglasses on her nose.

"I'm on vacation and thought I'd do a bike ride here," Aigner smiled at the suits.

Appearance with symbolic power

It was a symbolic performance.

"With such a contingent, you used to open at least one federal highway, if not one highway," said Radwan in his speech.

But today the importance of cycling is much higher.

"Cycling isn't just for leisure," Radwan pointed out.

In order to promote the mobility turnaround, a safe infrastructure for cycling must be created.

As in this case: a comfortable footpath and cycle path along the busy B 472, also easy to use for commuters who travel between the districts on their e-bikes and leave their cars at home.

cooperation of the governors

"A milestone that we have missed so far," said District Administrator Niedermaier.

It is true that cyclists could also cycle along idyllic forest paths between Waakirchen and Reichersbeuern.

"But that's not the right thing for my employees, who just want to get from A to B." Niedermaier and his colleague von Löwis stepped up to the lectern.

That should also be a sign.

“We work closely together.

And mobility is a top priority,” stressed von Löwis.

It is important to take all citizens with you and to create a suitable infrastructure.

Applause for landowners

There was applause for the landowners, some of whom were there.

Aigner explained that nothing would work without their willingness to give up ground.

The new bike path, said Mayor Kerkel, is a signal for departure.

Waakirchen is getting closer to the goal of becoming a bicycle-friendly community: "That also means more quality of life."

Construction work takes three months

The construction work will take three months and should naturally cause traffic problems.

A crossing aid will also be created, and the road will be renovated at the same time.

The federal and state governments are paying for the total costs of two million euros.

Leitner also wants to celebrate the inauguration: "I hope that we will cycle the path together."