City council adopts cycling concept
The city council approved the cycling concept at its meeting yesterday. The city council had called for such a concept in order to promote cycling. This was preceded by an extensive development and coordination process involving many city council departments as well as external stakeholders and, from summer 2011, the city council's political groups.
The paper sets the goal of doubling the share of cycling to 12 per cent of all daily journeys by 2020, which corresponds to the national average. A study by the TU Dresden in 2008 determined a current share of 6 per cent. In addition, the model of a "bicycle-friendly city of Chemnitz" is to be established, which also includes the city's commitment within the metropolitan region of Central Germany and towards the Free State.
The concept includes a whole series of transport planning principles that are to be implemented in the coming years or taken into account in road and path construction measures. For example, a hierarchised cycle network is to be established with rings close to the city centre in connection with the radial routes leading to the centre. The cycle paths will be signposted according to uniform national standards with a network for everyday traffic and cycle tourism routes. Bicycle parking facilities of high quality and in sufficient quantity are planned with a focus on the city centre and main railway station. Various marketing and public relations activities will help to promote cycling and increase road safety.
The implementation of the measures named in this cycling concept should largely be achieved by 2020. An annual budget of 0.6 million euros would be required for implementation.
The complete cycling concept with detailed information can be found at www.chemnitz.de/radverkehr.