Chemnitz gets its first cycle lane
Section on Reichenhainer Straße to be completed by the end of April
Cycling in Chemnitz is to be further strengthened and made safer. For this reason, a cycle lane will be set up on Reichenhainer Straße between Lutherstraße and Campusplatz in both directions until probably the end of April 2021. Motor vehicles will still be able to drive on Reichenhainer Straße.
As a first indication, large posters will be put up in the area of Campusplatz and Lutherstraße over the next few days.
Bicycle lanes are lanes reserved for cyclists (and so-called small electric vehicles such as electric scooters or Segways). This means that cyclists have priority. They determine the travelling speed and are allowed to ride side by side. However, the right-hand driving rule still applies.
Drivers of motor vehicles (motor vehicles) must adapt to the speed of the cyclists in front and may only overtake if the legally prescribed distance of at least 1.50 metres and the maximum permitted speed of 30 km/h can be maintained when overtaking. If this is not the case, drivers of motor vehicles must remain behind cyclists.
In the interests of respectful coexistence in road traffic, cyclists travelling slowly should observe their surroundings and, if necessary, allow following motor vehicles to pass. Drivers of motor vehicles should recognise that cyclists often ride only slightly slower than permitted and accept the minimal loss of time in the interests of road safety. Conflicts can be avoided through better mutual understanding.
In order to publicise the cycle lane to all road users and briefly explain the new rules, information boards are currently being erected in the affected area.
The city of Chemnitz is looking into setting up further cycle lanes in the city centre.
Further information and detailed questions and answers about cycle lanes can also be found at www.chemnitz.de/radverkehr.
Background:
The section of Reichenhainer Straße between Stadlerplatz and Wartburgstraße was rebuilt in 2016/2017 for the Chemnitz Model, Stage 2 (Chemnitz - Thalheim / Aue). In accordance with the applicable regulations, mixed traffic, i.e. the shared use of the carriageway with motor vehicle traffic, was planned and implemented for cycle traffic. The carriageway was designed with a width of 4.75 metres on both sides.
Since its reopening, mixed traffic has been heavily criticised by cyclists, as it has often led to safety-critical overtaking manoeuvres by motor vehicle drivers.
In addition, the amendment to the Road Traffic Act in 2020 clearly emphasised the protection of cyclists and defined a minimum overtaking distance of 1.50 metres (subject to fines). Taking this safety measure into account, the carriageways in Reichenhainer Straße are not wide enough to ensure proper overtaking in the areas where there is on-street parking. This is due to the required safety distance between cyclists and parked vehicles.
For these reasons, various options for action were examined and evaluated by the civil engineering department. As a result, the creation of a cycle lane is a suitable instrument to remedy the criticism:
- Cycling is clearly prioritised. Drivers of motor vehicles must adapt to cyclists. This reduces safety-critical overtaking manoeuvres, or at best avoids them altogether.
- No structural changes to the traffic system are required to set up the cycle lane.
- The cycle lane strengthens cycling, especially on the important cycle route between the Chemnitz University of Technology sites on Reichenhainer Straße and Straße der Nationen as well as into the city centre. It is therefore an important contribution to the implementation of the cycling concept adopted by the city council and the Mobility Plan 2040, which is currently being developed.
- The construction of Fraunhofer Straße provides motor vehicle traffic with an efficient alternative route, so that access to the city centre is not restricted. Reichenhainer Straße now only fulfils an access function. The remaining through traffic is also to be shifted to Fraunhofer Strasse. Residential traffic will remain fully possible.