After surface renovation on the Street of Nations: Protective lane for cyclists is created
New road layout planned for the second week of October
The City of Chemnitz's cycle traffic concept prioritises the creation of a continuous cycle lane on the Straße der Nationen. An initial section with the marking of a cycle lane has already been realised during the expansion of the Chemnitz model. The City of Chemnitz is currently working on a road marking concept for the section between Carolastrasse and Emilienstrasse, as well as continuing via Christian-Wehner-Strasse to Blankenauer Strasse.
A further section is to be realised with the resurfacing of the Straße der Nationen between Wilhelm-Külz-Platz and Emilienstraße. A "protective strip" will be used, taking into account the space available and to ensure that at least one side of the road remains a parking lane. Such strips have already been marked on Frankenberger Strasse and Zschopauer Strasse near the city centre.
Hard shoulders are part of the carriageway, i.e. they are not separately marked "cycle paths". They are marked with a thin, broken line and bicycle pictograms at certain intervals.
According to the new road traffic regulations, which came into force on 1 April 2013, cars are not allowed to park on hard shoulders. An additional traffic sign is not required. Unlike on cycle lanes, driving on the hard shoulder is always permitted if, for example, it is necessary for larger vehicles to pass or if there is a parking lane between the hard shoulder and the pavement. The width of the core carriageway (area between the two guidelines) on the Straße der Nationen is such that two cars can meet without having to share the hard shoulder. A guideline in the centre of the carriageway is not marked. At traffic lights, cyclists follow the signals for car traffic.
It will no longer be possible to park on the landward right-hand edge of the carriageway in future. There are over 400 public parking spaces available in the entire neighbourhood, and over 700 spaces in the private area. Observations on the utilisation of the parking spaces along the Straße der Nationen show that there is regular demand, but no overcrowding. Free parking spaces were available at all times. This means that although the reduction in parking spaces on the landward side of the road is unpleasant for individual users, it can be compensated for overall on the opposite side of the road or on neighbouring streets. In the overall balancing of the interests of ease of traffic, safety for all road users and the requirements of stationary traffic, the need for safe cycle traffic guidance prevails because the Straße der Nationen has a high traffic significance and corresponding traffic loads as a motorway feeder road, among other things.
The marking of a protective lane ensures travelling comfort and the possibility of making rapid progress by bike. This form of traffic routing is also very safe because cyclists are clearly visible to motorists. Conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists are minimised because the provision of a marked hard shoulder tends to discourage cyclists from riding illegally on the pavement.
The City of Chemnitz is monitoring the use of the safety lane on the Straße der Nationen with a qualified before-and-after study. The before study on the behaviour of the various road users took place before the construction work began. The after-study is to take place in the second quarter of 2014 at the latest. Hard shoulders have proven their worth throughout Germany and are recommended for widespread use by road construction regulations and road legislation.
The overall measure (resurfacing, barrier-free expansion of the bus stops, marking of protective lanes on both sides including safety separation strips for stationary traffic) costs 230,000 euros. The road is scheduled to be opened to traffic in the second week of October.
- offer comfort: Cycle lanes and hard shoulders offer a high level of comfort and the opportunity to make fast progress
- offer safety: Cyclists are easier for motorists to see on cycle lanes and hard shoulders, especially at junctions and access roads. These are the most frequent accident locations on cycle paths. Cycle lanes and protective lanes have the advantage over riding on the carriageway that cyclists can pass waiting cars (e.g. at traffic lights) more easily. This is important for road safety, as it allows cyclists to move out of the "blind spot" of motorists and into their field of vision.
- Prevent conflicts: Cycle lanes and protective strips help to avoid conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists, which can occur on cycle paths or when the pavement is being used.
- ensure order: Cycle lanes and hard shoulders mean that cyclists are less likely to cycle in the wrong direction, i.e. to the left of the carriageway. Cyclists travelling on the left (wrong-way cyclists) are involved in accidents more often than average because car drivers do not expect them at junctions.