Confusion in Kiel: New traffic island endangers cyclists' safety!

Confusion in Kiel: New traffic island endangers cyclists' safety!

In Kiel-Wellsee, a new traffic island in the Buschkoppel bicycle protection lane is causing a lot of confusion and uncertainty among cyclists. The narrowed cycle lane of only around 50 centimeters means that cyclists are diverted from the shared footpath and cycle path onto the road - a situation that is not only uncomfortable but also dangerous, as Peter Böhm, chairman of the Wellsee/Kronsburg/Rönne local council, notes. Trucks in particular could become a serious problem there.

The city of Kiel had originally planned to redesign the bush paddock in order to avoid conflicts between pedestrians and cyclists. Eske Marie Hansen from the press department of the city of Kiel emphasizes that the changes correspond to the current requirements for cycling traffic management. Nevertheless, the traffic island in the protective strip is not intended as a final solution. The plan is to remove the protective strip again in the coming weeks. But the work on the Wellseedamm is far from complete, as important markings and protective elements for cyclists are still missing.

Sustainable improvements needed

The situation regarding cycling traffic has been in particular focus since Kiel Week. Frederik Meißner from the Kieler Verkehrsclub VCD points out that cyclists without their own lane are extremely at risk. Broken cycle paths and missing signposts pose serious problems. For example, there is a closed cycle path at the station quay, which is part of the busy cycle route 7. For cyclists from the south of Kiel, it becomes a challenge to merge into the flowing traffic on the four-lane Kaistraße without warning. The VCD appeals to the city to reserve a lane on Kaistraße for bicycle traffic during the closure in order to significantly improve safety.

An alternative measure to improve the traffic situation is already taking place in Werftstrasse. Here, the crossing aid between Gaardener Ring and the street “Zur Fähre” is being redesigned to increase safety for pedestrians and cyclists. The building committee decided on this at a meeting in May 2022. Around 1,100 pedestrians and 1,500 cyclists use this crossing every day, which underlines the urgency of this measure. Such measures are particularly important in the context of Vision Zero – a goal that aims to prevent traffic fatalities and serious injuries.

Overall, it is crucial that the city of Kiel actively deals with improving cycling traffic. While initial progress is being made, it remains to be seen how quickly and comprehensively further measures will be implemented to ensure road safety for all road users.

For further information and background information on the topics of cycling and road safety in Kiel, read the articles from KN Online, NDR and The Greens Kiel.