Mölln (aa). The city of Mölln has a new cycling concept in its drawer that is intended to make cycling safer and more attractive – without having to expand classic cycle paths. Due to a lack of space and high costs, the city is refraining from building new cycle paths and instead relies on innovative measures such as cycle streets, protective strips, red markings and crossing aids at critical traffic points. The strengthening of cycling is also happening not least against the background of the city’s declared climate emergency.
The aim of the concept, which is financed with the help of state funding, is to make cycling in the city safer without having to carry out extensive construction work. Those responsible are relying on measures that use the existing space efficiently and provide road users with clear rules. The concept is intended to serve as a basis for decision-making for future investments, to enable systematic promotion of cycling and to form a basis for an implementable action plan to create a safe, comfortable and sustainable cycling infrastructure. The new concept is also a prerequisite for receiving funding for the implementation of future individual measures of the concept.
Cycling on the road is allowed – and often required
A key piece of information that many drivers are not yet sufficiently aware of: cyclists are allowed to ride on almost all roads, even if there are cycle paths. According to the road traffic regulations: Cyclists must use the road, unless special cycle paths are marked by traffic signs 237, 240 or 241. Where these signs are not present, cyclists are allowed to use the road, even if there is a cycle path. This also applies to small electric vehicles, which are covered by the relevant regulation.
This regulation is an important part of the new cycling concept in Mölln. Since there are hardly any signposted cycle paths in the city, cyclists have to use the road, which the new concept is intended to make safer through protective measures such as cycle lanes and protective lanes.
Signs like this, which explicitly prescribe the use of a cycle path, are a thing of the past in the city of Mölln. Where a cycle path is still structurally visible, cyclists have the choice of where they ride. Where there are no longer any cycle paths, they even have to use the road. Image of Andrzej Rembowski on Pixabay
Measures for more security
The concept’s catalog of measures includes 72 sections with profiles of measures. The following measures are part of the new concept, which is to be gradually implemented in Mölln:
Bicycle streets: In addition to the two existing bicycle streets (Waldstadt route to Grambeker Weg and Am Kamp), according to Konzeot, four potential new ones are planned (Doktorhof, Am Ziegelholz, Friedenstraße and Schulstraße). Protective strips: Protective strips should be marked, especially at junctions with high conflict potential Give priority to cyclists and signal to drivers to leave enough space. Red markings: Dangerous intersections and junctions are highlighted with conspicuous red markings to draw attention to cyclists and prevent accidents. Crossing aids: Crossing aids should be created on busy roads to enable cyclists to cross the road safely.
With this concept, Mölln is taking a step towards modern traffic planning, in which cycling is not promoted through traditional cycle paths, but through innovative solutions, but also requires mutual consideration from all road users. The complete cycling concept, which already passed the building committee in September, can here can be viewed.
