Opening of the Bustunnel in Remscheid: Opportunities for cyclists increase!

Opening of the Bustunnel in Remscheid: Opportunities for cyclists increase!

growing acceptance for cyclists in urban traffic networks

The discussion about the use of the Bustunnel under the Allee Center in Remscheid opens up new perspectives for cyclists and mobility in the city. Currently, only buses from the municipal utility and some taxis are allowed to pass the tunnel, but the city administration is open to changes that could offer cyclists more freedom.

opportunities for common use

At a request from the voter community for Remscheid (W.I.R.), the city administration announced that the public transport companies are generally willing to give the idea a chance, provided that the necessary safety precautions and a stable clockwork of bus traffic can be guaranteed. The need to avoid dangerous situations between cyclists and buses is emphasized as the main criterion. The division manager responsible for the bus company, Armin Freund, assures that there should be no disadvantages for the timing of the bus lines from the introduction of cyclists in the tunnel.

monitoring of traffic flows

Current traffic load shows that around 1000 municipal work buses cross the tunnel every day. Despite this high number, there are no objections to use by cyclists, since the specified limit values of 400 vehicles are significantly below per hour. From a recently carried out traffic counting, it can be seen that only about 10 cyclists per hour are traveling in the pedestrian zone on Alleestrasse, which does not allow a significant increase in traffic density.

preparation for the test phase

The Technical Operations Remscheid (TBR) are currently busy checking the performance of the traffic lights at the Hochstraße junction. So far, this signal system has been designed exclusively for buses. If it turns out that the adjustments to take cyclists into account only minimal or no impairments for local public transport, a test phase for the common use of buses and bicycles is sought.

long -term changes in the traffic concept

If a positive result of this trial phase is given, the city also plans to redesign the area from the Hochstraße via Konrad-Adenauer-Straße to the market. These restructuring are intended in accordance with the "sustainable traffic concept inner city", which was passed by the council before the summer break. However, it is currently being waited for until the construction work at the new bus station on Ebert-Platz, is expected to be completed in early 2026 before the first measures are taken.

important measure for more quality of life

An external expert has already carried out an extensive analysis of the inner city ring between Freiheitstraße and Elberfelder Straße on behalf of the city. The proposed measures for redesign should not only improve mobility, but also increase quality of life for residents. The first major project is the conversion of the Freiheitstraße, which aims to improve the living conditions.

The opening of the bust tunnel for cyclists is a step in the right direction, which could not only make traffic within the city rivers more dynamic, but also represents a symbol of a contemporary and sustainable mobility concept. This could inspire other cities, to examine similar initiatives and to offer cyclists more adequate into account in urban traffic.