Kassel-Vellmar: Start of construction for bike fast path-but where is the momentum?

Kassel-Vellmar: Start of construction for bike fast path-but where is the momentum?

In Kassel, a lot is happening on the cycle path front: the construction work for the rapid rapid connection between Kassel and Vellmar are in full swing. This route, which extends over around 7.5 kilometers, is to be equipped with suitable lighting and also cleared in winter. The ambitious goal: to welcome up to 8,400 bicycles to this connection every day. Work in Vellmar started last year, while in Kassel the first groundbreaking is carried out in several sections this week. Most of the cycle path in Vellmar could even be completed in the coming year, provided that the approval for the last 300 meter long section is no longer a long time coming. A lengthy process, because the planning itself lasted over a decade. This reports hessenschau.de

But what does this expansion mean for the region? The existing paths are being rebuilt, but no new lanes are required. The Ministry of Transport in Hesse has already completed a total of around 13 kilometers of cycle paths - of which five of them in the past two years. Listen to the critics? The General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) believes that the implementation is going far too slowly and demands that the country itself actively intervene in the construction of the cycling fairway. Meanwhile, four projects with a total of around 50 kilometers are currently running in the starting blocks in Hesse. In the shadow of this progress, there are twelve speed rapid compounds with over 290 kilometers, for which feasibility studies have been completed, whereby the start of construction is still uncertain for many. There are also six other projects that are still in the feasibility study.

Detailed plans for Kassel

The area of ​​the new rapid rapid connection in Kassel includes numerous improvements for cyclists. 660 meters are expanded within the planning and approval section, the Henschel and Gottschalkstraße and a sub-area of ​​Mombachstrasse. New bicycle roads with a nuclear lane width of 4.50 meters are to be built here. The streets are marked according to the quality standards for rapid rapids and homobility in Hesse. The lighting situation is also refreshed, the municipal works Netz + Service GmbH take over the lighting calculation. The results of the road drainage by Kasselwasser have already been incorporated. New street processes are even intended in the safety separator to guarantee optimal drainage. These sequences show: You have a good knack for the future of bicycle traffic in Kassel.

Kassel has a lot more to offer! The sidewalks should not only sparkle, but also enrich the cityscape. The integration of existing trees and the creation of seating in the area of ​​Mombachstrasse and Gottschalkstraße is planned. The cafes and restaurants also benefit from wider sidewalks that create multifunctional public areas. Furnishing details such as different surface materials for the visual separation of parking strips and sidewalk round off the concept. A little color in the game brings red colored crossing areas that are intended to increase the priority rules and support the safety of the cyclists.

The vision for Hessen

But the speed of cycling is more than just local projects. They represent a significant part of Hesse’s mobility strategy. In 2018, the state of Hesse identified 42 corridors that have the potential for cycling and wheel direct connections. The studies show that some of these corridors could attract more than 2,000 wheel commuters a day. The most promising connections include Frankfurt to Offenbach and Wiesbaden to Mainz. These corridors develop into true heroes for commuters who want to improve their environmentally friendly mobility. The complete examination is well documented in five volumes and provides municipalities and planning providers valuable clues. Further information on the speed of bike connections in Hessen are available on the website of Nahmobil Hessen

FAZIT: It becomes exciting to see whether the projects move forward quickly and how Kassel's streets are transformed into a traffic sovereign for cyclists. There is still a big task in front of the region, but preparations are promising and cycling in Hessen could soon receive a new impulse.