New bridge in Wilhelmshaven: Safety for cyclists and pedestrians!

New bridge in Wilhelmshaven: Safety for cyclists and pedestrians!

The harbors and waterways of Wilhelmshaven are not only steeped in history, but are also developing into a hotspot for cyclists and pedestrians. With the latest project, which has now become a reality, the goal is clear: more safety and comfort for everyone who travels on two wheels or on foot.

In the early hours of the morning, a new steel bridge was raised over the busy Hooksieler Landstrasse. This 32 meter long and 2.5 meter wide bridge, which weighs around 23 tons, will enable pedestrians and cyclists to cross safely in the future. The installation, carried out by fitters from Borchers Hoch- und Ingenieurbau, involved the use of a heavy-duty crane to bring the bridge into place. Interestingly, some of the 13 precast concrete elements, each weighing 2.8 tonnes, have already been laid on the bridge in advance, with work in the middle of the construction due to be completed next week nwzonline.de reported.

Integration into the cycle route

The new bridge is a central element of the expansion of the cycle route, which leads from Kirchzeile via Potenburg to Mariensiel. “Our goal is to increase the safety of cyclists and pedestrians,” emphasizes the city administration. In recent months, the cycle path in Lautsallee and the extension area of ​​the Europaring have also been modernized. In addition to the bridge, other measures are also on the agenda: A new cycle path of around two kilometers between Ostfriesenstrasse and Rüstersiel is due to be completed by the end of the year, while the asphalting of gravel paths in Altengroden is due to be completed by mid-May.

It is particularly pleasing to work with the Lower Nature Conservation Authority to obtain the necessary felling permits for tree work. These are essential for the future cycling facilities, which are also being planned in order to further improve the safety-relevant aspects in the city.

Bicycle friendliness in Wilhelmshaven

Cycling in Wilhelmshaven has proven to be comfortable and safe. Wide cycle paths often lead through green areas or along the city's beautiful waters. As the city of Wilhelmshaven describes, the cycle paths are not only used intensively for commuters, but also for visits to the weekly market and family trips. Nevertheless, it should also be noted that there is a need for improvement in some areas, especially on main traffic axes such as Peterstrasse or Bismarckstrasse.

Current surveys demonstrate Wilhelmshaven's potential as a cycling city. The ADFC bicycle climate test impressively shows that both young and old enjoy using bicycles. Every year, over 400,000 euros are invested in the maintenance and construction of cycle paths, with the ambition of establishing the city as cycle-friendly and increasing the proportion of cycle traffic. The city became a member of the Association of Bicycle-Friendly Municipalities Lower Saxony/Bremen e.V. in 2018 and is committed to continuous improvements in future projects, as explained on wilhelmshaven.de.

Cycling in a Germany-wide comparison

A look beyond the borders of Wilhelmshaven shows that interest in improving cycling infrastructure is growing throughout Germany. The ADFC recently presented the new bicycle climate test, in which over 213,000 citizens gave their opinion on bicycle-friendliness in the Federal Republic. Many cities are showing progress, and Wilhelmshaven could also become one of the top bike-friendly cities in Germany in the coming years. The aim is to create a cycling climate that promotes both the safety and satisfaction of cyclists, as can be seen from the analysis on rnd.de.