Unna disappoints in the bike test: worst grade in 10 years!

Unna disappoints in the bike test: worst grade in 10 years!

The current evaluation of the nationwide “bicycle climate” test is causing disillusionment in Unna. With a grade of 4.11, the city achieved the worst value since these surveys began. This is commented on by the ADFC cycling club, which expresses a certain lack of understanding in view of the massive deterioration in cycling friendliness over the last ten years. The list of deficiencies for the city is long and shows that there is an urgent need for action.

In detail, Unna scores just above average, particularly in the areas of opening one-way streets for cyclists, signposting and bicycle theft. Compared to other municipalities that invest in cycling, Unna seems almost backwards. What is particularly worrying is that the “Target Network 2025” for cycle routes, which was decided by the Council, has not been implemented. Instead, there are deteriorations: the planned cycle route from Massen to Königsborn remains incomplete and the cycle paths, for example on Afferder Weg, also have significant deficiencies.

Dissatisfaction among cyclists

Unna cyclists complain not only about the lack of infrastructure, but also about the surfaces of the cycle paths, the attractiveness of cycling in the city, the feeling of security and the traffic lights. The ADFC therefore calls on the city administration to deal with the results of the test and make timely decisions to improve bike-friendliness. The response rate for the test also shows that not all municipalities in the Unna district took part in the evaluation, which limits the significance of the results. Bönen, for example, once again missed the target of 50 participations.

In general, as noted by the ADFC, the number of participants in the Unna district is declining. This corresponds to a nationwide trend that other cities such as Fröndenberg and Kamen are also feeling. Although Holzwickede and Lünen were able to improve their numbers slightly, the stagnating results of cities such as Unna, Selm and Schwerte suggest that these municipalities should pay more attention to the cycling climate. The results of the survey, which was carried out from September to November 2024, also show hardly any changes compared to the last survey in 2022. This shows that it is urgently time to make a difference and make cycling in Unna more attractive.

Bicycle climate test as important feedback

The ADFC bicycle climate test is one of the largest cycling climate surveys in the world and is carried out every two years. In 2024, around 213,000 cyclists nationwide took part in assessing local conditions. The results are important not only for cities, but also for transport planners, as they provide important feedback that makes targeted improvements in the infrastructure possible. Now in its eleventh year, the test shows that the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport is funding the test with funds from the National Cycling Plan. It is all the more important that the results are taken seriously and the necessary steps are taken to improve cycling friendliness in Unna.

For interested cyclists, the detailed results and an interactive map can be viewed on the ADFC website. The current challenges require a joint effort by the administration and citizens to make cycling in Unna more attractive again.

Please also visit the articles on Rundblick Unna for further information on this topic: Rundblick Unna report and ADFC Kreis Unna.