What is the Bonn Cycling Decision?
Radentscheid Bonn is a citizens' initiative that was launched in 2020 by the initiative of the same name (opens in a new tab) and adopted by the city council in 2021. The citizens' initiative defines seven transport policy goals for improving the cycling and walking infrastructure in Bonn.
More space for cycling and walking
The cycling decision calls for new standards and expansion targets for cycling and walking, which the city of Bonn should use as a guide when planning new projects and maintenance. Cycle paths and footpaths are to be given more space between 2021 and 2026 and the road space is to be divided more fairly between all modes of transport. This should enable all road users to move intuitively in the right lane and therefore travel more safely - by car, bus, bike or on foot.
Democratic tailwind for the mobility turnaround in Bonn
From May to September 2020, Radentscheid Bonn collected a total of 28,074 signatures in Bonn. In February 2021, the city council approved the citizens' petition with a majority of 87% of the votes. Since then, the city administration has been tasked with planning and implementing measures aimed at fulfilling the seven cycling referendum goals.
The Bonn cycling referendum is the most successful citizens' petition in the history of the City of Bonn - both in terms of the number of signatures collected and the very high level of approval in the city council.
From closing gaps to a continuous cycling network - where does Bonn stand?
On June 12, 2024, Head of Department Helmut Wiesner presented the second transparency report on the implementation status of the Bonn cycling referendum to interested Bonn residents. The subsequent panel discussion took stock of where the city of Bonn stands with the implementation of the Bonn cycling referendum and the designation of a continuous cycling network and which future projects should still be driven forward.
On December 12, 2023, the city council adopted a cycling network plan for Bonn. This presents the long-term strategy for the expansion of a continuous cycling network.
The decision is not only an important milestone for the implementation of the citizens' petition Radentscheid Bonn, but also allows cycling projects to be better prioritized based on their network importance and the interests of the different modes of transport to be weighed up appropriately. The city of Bonn is already closing important gaps in the city's cycling network by designating 40 additional cycle lanes in accordance with new quality standards. Cycling traffic is also to be made safer along main roads, as was recently the case with the much-discussed trial on Adenauerallee.
The second transparency report - implementation of the Bonn 2023 and 2024 cycling decision
On June 12, 2024, the second transparency report on the implementation status of the citizens' petition Radentscheid Bonn was presented by Helmut Wiesner, Head of the Building Department.
You can read the press release here (opens in a new tab).
You can read the current Transparency Report 2023/24 here:
Discussion event on the transparency report
In the panel discussion that followed, Helmut Wiesner and Sonja Thiele from Radentscheid Bonn answered the citizens' questions.
The first transparency report - Implementation of the Bonn Cycling Decision 2021 and 2022
The seven goals of Radentscheid Bonn
1. connect city districts: Safe and continuous cycle path network for Bonn
Bonn is to have a continuous network of cycling facilities that safely and conveniently connects all parts of the city. The traffic spaces between cyclists, pedestrians and motor vehicles should be divided up in such a way that all road users can use them intuitively and therefore travel more safely.
2. making good progress: 75 kilometers of new cycle paths and footpaths
The city of Bonn is to install a total of 75 kilometers of cycle paths or cycle traffic facilities within five years, which corresponds to 15 kilometers per year. At least 25 kilometers of these cycle paths should be structurally protected from motor vehicles driving, stopping and parking and be at least two meters wide in each direction.
Where these requirements are not feasible, environmental lanes or cycle lanes can be set up as an alternative. The latter must have a standard width of 4.5 meters. The expansion of cycling infrastructure must not be at the expense of pedestrian traffic.
3. crossing safely: redesign 30 traffic light intersections
In the coming years, the city of Bonn is to safely upgrade a total of 30 large traffic light intersections for cyclists and pedestrians in line with the Dutch intersection design. Cycling traffic will be given its own traffic lights and waiting zones separated by safety islands in the upstream field of vision of motorized traffic.
4. crossing safely: 100 junctions and access roads safely converted
At junctions between minor roads and main roads, the pedestrian and cycle paths with right of way should continue at the same level across the junction area. This creates a speed bump for turning traffic. This slows the speed of turning cars and improves the visibility of cyclists and pedestrians for motorists.
This standard also applies to property entrances and must also be taken into account for all new buildings and conversions.
5. safe parking: create 15,000 bicycle parking spaces
People who commute by bike every day not only need safe cycle paths, but also the opportunity to park their bikes safely. The city of Bonn should therefore install 3,000 new bicycle parking spaces every year, including 600 spaces in bicycle boxes or parking garages.
6. free movement: keep footpaths and cycle paths usable
The city of Bonn is creating and implementing new standards to ensure that footpaths and cycle paths can be used at all times. This includes safe construction site guidance for pedestrians and cyclists, priority parking space monitoring for cycle paths and footpaths and year-round maintenance of the infrastructure.
7 Transparent implementation: taking citizens with you
The city of Bonn reports transparently on the planning and implementation of the Radentscheid measures. You will therefore find information on the implementation status of Radentscheid Bonn and the planned projects here.
The goals of the Bonn cycling decision are very ambitious. The city is working hard to achieve as many goals as possible within the required time frame. But: the goals correspond to a major transformation project in terms of transport policy.