Spring is here and I have such a desire to move sporty, you don't believe it. Is that how you're doing? There is no lack of exercise, because I have to keep my dogs all year round ;-) But in this weather I have now also dedusted the bike. Is your bike fit for spring yet? If not, then look nevertheless again in My post about the spring check.
Are you also passionate cyclists? I've just returned from my holiday in Holland - you have any idea what's next? Yes, the Dutch have some interesting ideas ahead of us when it comes to bicycle traffic: for example, an underground car park in the centre of Maastricht also has a parking space for bicycles. The city of Frankfurt has been offering a similar parking space at the Konstablerwache for some time now, just above ground.
By the way, the nationwide campaign „Mit dem Rad zur Arbeit“, in short: „MdRzA“ starts on 1 May. From May to the end of August we should let the way to the office become a personal fitness program. If you have more than 20 straight days, you can even win great prizes! Now every sixth person uses their bike to get to work.
Whether Frankfurt is already on its way to the bicycle metropolis? In any case, some residents think that traffic should be more oriented towards cyclists in the future: With an eight-point plan modelled on Amsterdam and Copenhagen, the initiative “Radentscheid“ is fighting for a more bicycle-friendly and environmentally friendly city.
Since 4 April, it has been collecting signatures for the idea of creating more cycle paths for greater traffic safety. And commuters are also being considered, with the desire to connect cycle routes from the plant ring to regional cycle paths. Even though I think the idea is basically good, I ask myself where in a city as narrow as ours the space for 2.30 metre wide tracks should come from. A look at Bockenheim shows a foretaste of the conflicts of interest between pedestrians, cyclists and car owners around the little square. There the city had four (!) cycle paths to paint on the pavement.
Bicycle is the future
But even if some demands of the initiative do not sound realistic to me, then the short distances in Frankfurt are and remain a strong argument for more cycling. And in small steps you can certainly make it even more bicycle-friendly.
Which brings us back to the parking spaces. For me, for example, designated parking spaces are a signal that the bicycle as a means of transport is a serious substitute for the car. I like the fact that the city has taken on the theme of “rental bikes“ that have been lately standing crazy in the area or should I say rather; clenched into a chaotic heap? I also like the new ramp at the Niederräder bridge. If you want to rent a bike for yourself or your visit, you can find here on Frankfurt-Tipp everything you need to know about the rental service .
Until then I cycle to work on side roads, because I feel safer there than on the Anlagenring - and on weekends I make kilometres along the Nidda enjoyable. But if you want to experience the ultimate bike tour, have a look at my post „Frankfurt, Fahrrad und Fähre“.
Ride your bike to work? How do you imagine the traffic of the future?