The city of Bad Tölz does not necessarily score well in the bicycle climate test with a score of 4.3. Mayor Ingo Mehner believes that the results must be viewed in a differentiated manner.
Bad Tölz – Bad Tölz has just been awarded the title of "bicycle-friendly municipality" and is now allowed to hold this title for seven years. According to the recently published results of the ADFC bicycle climate test 2022, Bad Tölz is not really bicycle-friendly at all. In fact, the spa town only gets a school grade of 4.3, which is a tenth worse than in the 2020 rating and is also below the average (3.9) of other places of comparable size. The town hall is looking at the results with interest, as Mayor Ingo Mehner says on request. However, many things have to be viewed in a differentiated way – and some are simply not within the city's area of responsibility.
Some assessments leave the city "perplexed"
155 participants filled out the ADFC questionnaire. The municipality still performs best when it comes to signposting for cyclists. But here, too, there is only a 3.3. "That leaves me a little perplexed," says town hall managing director Falko Wiesenhütter. Because this is exactly where a lot has been done in recent years. 439 new signposts, numerous markings and turning arrows for cyclists were installed. "I actually think we're pretty exemplary," says Wiesenhütter. And if a signpost is missing or misleading somewhere, you are welcome to report it. Then the city will make an improvement. Lines are also being optimised. For example, the city has just opened Konradgasse – a one-way street – in Gries for cyclists in both directions. As a result, the path becomes less cumbersome. "Of course, it's not a big deal," says town hall spokeswoman Birte Otterbach. But "many small things," says Mehner, also lead to improvements.
Even Münster only gets a 3.0 in the test
Speaking of opening one-way streets for cyclists, here is a grade of 3.7 for the city. But in the end, all one-way streets were released where it was possible from a traffic law point of view. The focus is always on Nockhergasse. "It's an example of the cycling problems in the city," says Wiesenhütter. "Of course, we would prefer to have cycle paths everywhere and the separation of traffic," adds Mehner, "The will is great. We just need more space." This is also rare in Nockhergasse – especially at the point where the Irlbeck House further narrows the traffic space. All ideas for solutions on how cyclists could ride uphill there – i.e. against the one-way street – have so far failed due to reality. The protective strip, which was recently under discussion, was also recently rejected after a controversial debate in the city council. The crux of the matter is that the strip is likely to be crossed by motorists. "However, the remaining width of the roadway must be so large that this is not necessary," explains Mehner. And this is only possible in Nockhergasse if parking spaces and two loading zones are deleted. This was simply a matter of consideration for the city council.
He is actually surprised by some of the ratings in the survey. An example: In the case of illegal parking checks on cycle paths, the city only gets a 4.5. "Drivers always complain that the association controls so tightly," says Mehner. Another example: A majority of those surveyed are of the opinion that bicycles are often stolen in Bad Tölz. "I couldn't even judge that. You'd have to ask the police," says Wiesenhütter.
Hardly any pure cycle paths
In general, the evaluations, which explicitly ask for cycle paths, are such a thing here. Because there are hardly any pure cycle paths. In most cases, these are combined footpaths and cycle paths or sidewalks on which cycling is also allowed. And by the way, they would also be cleared in winter – even if the rating of 4.4 suggests otherwise, says Wiesenhütter. "Of course, we have a clearance plan." Of course, if snowfall persists, not every path is always cleared immediately, Mehner adds. This applies equally to roads.
In general, the city would like to see fewer problem descriptions. "That doesn't help us move forward," says Wiesenhütter. In fact, the problems are well known. "I would be much happier to see proposed solutions – especially feasible ones," adds Ingo Mehner. After all, cycling is an important topic in the city. With Sabrina Lorenz, there is even a special cycling officer in the town hall.
Mayor Mehner is relaxed
The fact that the overall rating of Bad Tölz is once again a tenth worse than two years earlier, Mehner accepts with some composure. "A tenth back or forth doesn't matter anymore," he says. However, he also points out that the German bicycle model city of Münster only gets a 3.0 in the test. "They have everything from bicycle traffic lights to bicycle parking garages. I would have thought that the distance to us would be greater."
You can find even more up-to-date news from the region at Merkur.de/Bad Tölz.