Walking is a central component of Bonn's mobility transition. That is why the city is also focusing its planning on this form of mobility. Pedestrians should once again have enough space to move through their city safely and in a relaxed manner.
For decades, pedestrians were mostly left with only the remaining widths in the street without their needs being fully taken into account. Today, Bonn is in the midst of change. Away from traffic planning that for many decades had to create more space for cars and towards planning a people-friendly city.
Good first steps have already been taken in Bonn in the past - for example with the establishment of one of the first pedestrian zones in Germany. The city of Bonn is now continuing along this path step by step.
Five good reasons for strengthening pedestrian traffic
Almost everyone who lives in Bonn walks through the city from time to time. Walking instead of driving protects the climate, keeps you healthy and ensures more peace and quiet in your neighborhood. There are even more reasons why walking should be given more space again.
1. walking costs nothing
2. mobility transition and climate protection
3. safest mode of transportation
4. walking keeps you healthy
5. attractive city: Bonn is becoming more beautiful and quieter
How pedestrian traffic planning works
Sidewalk widths and accessibility
People cannot cover every distance on foot. However, studies show that in urban traffic, distances of less than one kilometer from door to door are the quickest to reach on foot. There is therefore a lot of potential for strengthening walking, especially for short distances. The city of Bonn is therefore developing a local mobility concept that focuses on attractive connecting routes in the respective neighborhoods. This should enable Bonn residents to make their way to the nearest store, post office, etc. in a climate-friendly way - simply and quickly on foot.
Modern street planning works from the outside in. This means that the first step is to plan sidewalks of an appropriate width, followed by bicycle traffic and then motorized traffic on the remaining space. This is the only way to distribute the available space fairly and ensure a high level of road safety.
Barrier-free progress for pedestrians
The possibility of barrier-free transportation for all people is enshrined in German law and is a priority for Bonn. Planning is based on the "two-senses principle" and the "two-wheel principle":
- If a person loses one sense, they must be able to use another sense to access the information and orientation aids that are important to them.
- All areas that can be reached on foot must also be accessible on wheels without assistance. To this end, walkways must be level with the ground, i.e. edges must not be higher than three centimetres.
Cycling decision equals walking decision: a strong boost for the mobility transition
The Bonn cycling referendum, a citizens' initiative that was adopted by the City of Bonn Council in 2021, calls not only for cycling to be strengthened, but also for pedestrian traffic to be given equal status. In the traffic planning of recent decades, pedestrians and cyclists have been pushed to the side of the road, often to shared, too narrow spaces, which leads to conflicts.
Walking and cycling are inexpensive, good for your health and completely emission-free - so there is no noise, no exhaust fumes and no particulate matter. Both are therefore ideal, environmentally friendly forms of mobility that the city of Bonn promotes. They take up little space and increase the quality of life in the city.
Decided: five goals for pedestrian traffic
With the acceptance of the citizens' petition by Bonn City Council, the following objectives for pedestrian traffic were adopted and are being implemented by the administration:
1st goal: A safe, continuous network of sidewalks with connections between all parts of the city is to be created.
Objective 2: As a rule, footpaths must be 2.5 meters wide, but at least 1.5 meters wide. They must be kept freely accessible at all times and structurally separated from the cycle path.
Objective 3: Safety islands reduce the turning radii of motor vehicles and ensure ideal sightlines between drivers and pedestrians. More safety islands are therefore planned.
4th objective: Safe junctions and access roads should be created. At junctions between side streets and main roads (as well as property entrances), pedestrian and cycle traffic will continue at the same level when crossing the side street.
Objective 5: Sidewalks are given higher priority for cleaning and winter services. At roadworks, all types of traffic are treated equally. Parking enforcement services will give priority to parking violations on footpaths and cycle paths. Areas for parking cars are clearly marked.
The "Bonn Cycling Decision"
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