The special "Urban and Rural" programme was launched on 25 January with the corresponding administrative agreement. This means that the Federal Ministry of Transport (BMVI) For the first time, record funding has been made available for the construction of cycle paths in local authorities. They come from the German government's climate package and are intended to enable the full potential of cycling for climate-friendly transport to be realised. The cycling club ADFC welcomes the programme and the high quality criteria. The only point of criticism: so-called protective lanes are also eligible for funding - a marking solution that the ADFC does not consider to be cycle-friendly.
ADFC Vice-Chairwoman Rebecca Peters is delighted: "At last it can come - Germany as a cycling nation. There is now plenty of money from the federal government. And the federal government is also setting new standards in terms of quality and making clear specifications on how good cycling infrastructure should be designed so that it invites people of all ages to cycle. And that's not all: the Federal Ministry of Transport is even setting quantitative targets and specifying how many kilometres of cycle paths, how many cycle lanes and how many bicycle stands are to be built by 2023 - that's a huge step forward. It is now up to the local authorities to quickly submit project applications for the creation of quality cycle path networks and cycle car parks. The need for better cycling infrastructure is immense."
660 million euros for quality cycle paths in municipalities
The Federal Ministry of Transport is making a total of 1.46 billion euros available for cycling in the years 2020-2023, of which around 660 million euros will go to the special urban and rural programme. In addition, 170 million euros will be spent on cycle highways, 46 million euros on the German tourist cycle network and 126 million euros on model cycling projects.
With the Special urban and rural programme very specific targets are to be achieved by the end of 2023:
- 272 kilometres of roadside cycle paths including structural separation, 672 kilometres of cycle lanes
- 416 kilometres of cycle paths
- 55 structures such as cycle path bridges and subways
- 167,200 Bicycle racks at bus stops
- 24,800 bicycle boxes
- 31,200 parking spaces in bicycle car parks
- 179 Separate traffic light phases
- 4,880 Lighting systems on cycle paths
The ADFC criticises the fact that 672 kilometres of so-called protective lanes, which can also be used by car traffic, are also to be funded by the federal government as a relapse into outdated planning methods.
High-quality standard required for cycle paths
The administrative agreement for the special programme explicitly states that a "high-quality standard for all user groups" is to be implemented, which guarantees a "high level of road safety and a high subjective sense of safety". The ADFC had insisted on such stipulations, as some of the existing regulations for cycling are not binding and urgently need to be revised in order to enable all citizens to cycle at any age.
To date, many local authorities have built even worse and sparser cycle paths than even the outdated 'recommendations for cycle traffic facilities' provide for. Peters: "Half-hearted cycling infrastructure discourages most people from cycling and tends to motivate them to get into their cars for safety reasons. This must stop now, Germany must finally build world-class cycle paths that people enjoy cycling on."
More space for bikes through redistribution of space
Applications for funding for high-quality, safe and efficient cycling facilities can now be submitted by local authorities via the federal states. Funding is available for the planning and construction of comprehensive, protected and, where possible, separated cycle path networks - including through the redistribution of existing road space. Peters: "Specifically, the Federal Ministry of Transport is saying here: "Local authorities should create space for inviting and safe cycle paths by taking space away from car traffic, converting lanes into protected cycle lanes or turning roads into cycle streets."
"This is a small transport revolution and an important lever for the urgently needed equality of transport modes." (Rebecca Peters)
Best practice: Hesse
The ADFC would like to point out that the federal states, through which the funds must be applied for, are already showing very different levels of commitment. Many federal states have already informed their local authorities about the special urban and rural programme before the administrative agreement comes into force and are supporting it with their own measures. The state of Hesse stands out in a particularly positive light, having already launched a Model handbook with new standards for quality cycle paths published and the municipalities informed about the funding conditions.
Hesse has also set up its own service centre for local authorities to handle the funding programme. The state of North Rhine-Westphalia is also setting an examplewhich is supporting its local authorities by setting up a staff unit in the state transport ministry and also increasing state funding to top up the subsidy rates for financially weak local authorities.
The ADFC cites the state of Saxony as a negative example, which is apparently planning to radically cut state funding for local authorities to build cycle paths and compensate for the shortfall with funds from the climate package.
Peters: "We urge all federal states and local authorities to take action now and get the money for safe and comfortable cycling onto the roads quickly. The time is ripe for better cycle paths - people in Germany are literally clamouring for them."
