All of Germany laughs at this street – “no plan and incompetent”

The 20 km/h test on Venloer Strasse in Cologne shows the limitations and unreality of administration and politics so obviously that it is hard to believe.

Even the public broadcaster is laughing.

Cologne – For decades, Venloer Straße in Cologne-Ehrenfeld was considered a horror mile for Cologne cyclists.

Actually, everything should be better now with a new traffic concept.

The motto of the city: "Less traffic, more safety".

But exactly the opposite is the case - and that is now causing laughter in the NDR satirical magazine

, reports 24RHEIN.

There the test, which was worked out for a lot of tax money, runs in the “Real madness” section.

"You want to experience something?

Then come to Cologne-Ehrenfeld.

An exciting traffic concept was started here,” the article says.

+

The whole incompetence of politics and administration at a glance: Tempo 20 test in Venloer Straße in Cologne.

© NDR on YouTube

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"Cologne phenomenon: not only no plan, but also incompetent"

Because instead of more safety for cyclists and pedestrians, it seems as if the new traffic concept on Venloer Strasse means there is no longer any safety at all: Anyone who wants to cross the most important traffic axis must find out for themselves how, where and, above all, when it is best to do so goes.

Because all traffic lights were switched off, zebra crossings were removed and bike paths were crossed out.

For pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, this means: pure desperation.

"It's a Cologne phenomenon.

It's not enough not to have a plan, you also have to be unable to carry it out," explains a cyclist on Venloer Strasse who was

interviewed by

Because the new measures that have been in force since December 2022 are causing real confusion.

Countless yellow Xs are on the road between the area of ​​the inner channel road and the Ehrenfeld belt and provide "a fun puzzle for young and old", according to

.

Conversion of Venloer Strasse in Cologne

► First step:

 The speed limit on Venloer Straße is 20 and the rule is "right before left".

In addition, 60 short-term parking spaces will be eliminated.

The free space will be converted for outdoor catering, seating, bicycle parking facilities, parking spaces for sharing systems and cargo bike parking spaces.

The remaining short-term parking spaces in the entire area are gradually being converted into loading zones with evening parking authorization for residents.

► 

 From the second half of 2023, Venloer Straße will then become a one-way street.

From where to where and from when this applies is not yet clear.

► 

Initially, the concept is limited to one year.

After that, a decision should be made as to how to proceed with Venloer Straße (Cologne-Ehrenfeld district).

Extra3 makes fun of Cologne: "Traffic concept for Batman or Superman"

And the city of Cologne?

She doesn't want to be in front of the camera.

However, writes that "in a traffic-calmed zone, traffic lights, zebra crossings and cycle lanes" are prohibited.

Cyclists, drivers and pedestrians automatically have equal rights.

The problem is that hardly anyone knows.

The result: Drivers just keep driving, while pedestrians often stand at the side of the road and don't dare to "take the courageous step onto the street", according to

.

The urban references to the 20 km/h zone are all successful, according to the article.

After all, the flags are hanging over the switched off traffic lights – “at a height where Batman or Superman can see it at most”.

The cyclist emphasizes: "That's total nonsense."

List of rubrics: © NDR on YouTube