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Citizens' protest in Bayreuth: Signatures for street reconstruction handed over!
On September 5, 2025, a citizens' initiative in Bayreuth handed over signatures for a citizens' petition against the conversion of Erlangerstrasse and Bismarckstrasse. Goal: Safer transport system and better conditions for cyclists.
Citizens' protest in Bayreuth: Signatures for street reconstruction handed over!
On September 5, 2025, the citizens' initiative in Bayreuth took an important step and handed over the signature lists for a citizens' petition to Mayor Thomas Ebersberger. This citizens' petition is against the planned conversion of Erlangerstrasse and Bismarckstrasse, but remains unaffected by the change in the development plan. The citizens' initiative mobilized the population and was able to collect more than 5,000 signatures, which is well above the required 3,400 signatures required for it to be valid. This clearly shows that a significant number of citizens are critical of the project plans and are committed to maintaining two-lane traffic on Bismarckstrasse and Erlangerstrasse.
The main goal of the planned reconstruction is to create a safe and functional transport system for all road users. According to the plans, Bismarckstrasse and Erlanger Strasse are to be narrowed from two lanes to one, which will result in an increase in cycle paths. These measures aim to increase safety and comfort for cyclists and pedestrians while also taking climate protection into account. However, there are also numerous critics who point out the high costs of at least 4.7 million euros and the potential traffic problems caused by the single lane. Some fear that the project is not sufficiently supported by a comprehensive transport concept.
Review process of the citizens' initiative
The city administration now has a month to examine the admissibility of the citizens' petition. Several important points are taken into account: the number of valid signatures, the admissibility of the question in relation to the city's sphere of activity and the clarity of the question to which citizens should answer "yes" or "no". If the citizens' petition is admissible, a referendum will be scheduled promptly unless the city council decides on the requested measure. This referendum must take place no later than three months after admissibility has been determined and, in exceptional cases, can be extended to up to six months. The crucial thing is that a referendum has the same binding force as a city council resolution and can only be changed by a new referendum within one year.
A crucial moment is approaching: Depending on the outcome of the test results, a turnaround in the city's transport policy could be heralded. Initiator Manuel Brinkmann emphasizes that the appeal for signatures is not only a sign of resistance to the conversion, but also sends a clear message from citizens for a safe and sustainable transport policy in Bayreuth. Support for such citizens' initiatives can also be found on various platforms that deal with the topic of climate protection and transport transition, such as the Citizens' Climate Protection website, which provides information on similar projects.
The coming weeks will be crucial for the future of Bismarckstrasse and Erlangerstrasse. Which direction will the city choose? The result of the test will not only have an impact on the traffic structure, but is also a signal about how the citizens of Bayreuth want their concerns to be heard in the future.