Solingen’s Cycling Struggles: A Roadblock to the Traffic Transition

The early summer temperatures are enticing residents of Solingen to dust off their bicycles, but a harsh reality quickly sets in: cycling in this city is often an unpleasant experience. While e-bikes have mitigated some challenges posed by the Bergisches Land’s hills, the dominance of cars and inadequate infrastructure continue to deter cyclists, limiting many to weekend excursions or reliance on ADFC or ADAC membership for support.

A City Prioritizing Cars

The core issue isn’t a lack of direction, but a lack of safety. Solingen’s infrastructure remains heavily geared towards automobiles, with cyclists often perceived as obstacles. Drivers frequently overtake cyclists with dangerously little distance, creating a hazardous environment. Existing cycle paths, where they exist, are often poorly maintained, poorly marked, and fragmented, ultimately leading nowhere.

The Impasse of Progress

Despite a general consensus that improvements are needed, particularly in the context of the climate crisis and the necessary traffic transition, concrete action is hampered by fundamental problems.

1. The Challenge of Limited Space

Reallocating road space to accommodate all users – cars, trucks, buses, cyclists, and pedestrians – inevitably creates winners and losers. The political discussion in Solingen suggests a continued prioritization of cars, even as the shift towards electric vehicles gains momentum. For many, cars represent personal freedom and a necessity for daily life, a point underscored by the fact that citizens receiving benefits are not permitted to have their vehicles confiscated as they are considered essential assets.

2. A Lack of Bold Solutions

Improvements are often implemented piecemeal and even those efforts are not always successful. The example of Sonnenstrasse, initially intended to become more accessible to cyclists, demonstrates this issue. Similarly, planned bicycle routes face resistance due to potential parking space reductions. An alternative route along Viehbachtalstraße, which would avoid parking space loss, has been suggested by IHK President Henner Pasch and warrants further investigation.

3. Administrative Inertia

A “bunker mentality” within the administration further hinders progress. Efforts to address traffic concerns in Ohligs, aiming to quiet Lennestraße and reroute bus traffic, have stalled due to a lack of engagement with local stakeholders (OWG, ISG, and Ohligser Jongens). The potential loss of 70 parking spaces has also raised concerns, and a perceived lack of political sensitivity threatens to derail the project. A more transparent and collaborative approach is needed.

a willingness to engage with citizens and consider their perspectives is crucial to unlocking meaningful improvements for cyclists in Solingen.

Column by Stefan M. Kob