As reported, the administration had answered this question positively in principle - subject to additional checks. The results are now available. Conclusion: While the Hermann-Wandersleb-Ring, despite the higher traffic volume there, has the conditions for environmental lanes, the Endenicher Straße "according to the administration, represents a strong intervention in the transport network" of the city of Bonn.

In particular, the administration fears that the Endenicher Straße would cause "unacceptable" jams for the individual traffic remaining on one lane, among other things due to the short left-turn lanes. As an example, it cites the Karlstraße left-turn lane, which is used to transport a large part of the traffic to the industrial estate north of Endenicher Straße.

In the opinion of the administration, no environmental lanes can be marked in the existing street space of Endenicher Straße without further ado. This would only be possible if, for example, changes were made to the central strip, lighting, traffic lights and sidewalks. The aim of an appropriate conversion plan must be to ensure "efficient access" to the adjacent residential and commercial districts, even if special lanes are installed on Endenicher Strasse. Due to the poor structural condition of the road surface of Endenicher Strasse, however, a redesign would only be possible in conjunction with a complete renovation. The latter was already registered for Endenicher Strasse for the 2021 financial year. In the run-up, however, a road redesign would have to be worked out, which would take the special lanes into account.

Even on the "Endenicher Ei", the administration does not see any possibility of setting up environmental lanes there due to the current traffic load. Here one would have to examine in the course of the planned new building of the bridge (the GA reported) in conjunction with the national enterprise whether environmental tracks or a widening of the existing cycle ways could be additionally realized. Due to the tight time window for the replacement construction, the administration is already in talks with the NRW Roads Authority. A link with a possible special lane on the Hermann-Wandersleb-Ring should be taken into account in the planning to be drawn up in order to achieve continuity.

In addition, the cross-sectional division of Endenicher Straße might have to be adapted again for a later realisation of the Westbahn (formerly Hardtbergbahn) -- depending on the variants.

The SPD welcomes the timely information before the start of deliberations in the relevant council bodies. At the same time, however, it calls for "more courage" in implementation. "This means that we want an environmental lane to be established for Endenicher Strasse as soon as possible," said Gabi Mayer, deputy parliamentary group leader and transport policy spokeswoman. "Cycling will become safer and buses more punctual and reliable.

The SPD fears, however, that the redistribution of the road space, which according to the administration is necessary on Endenicher Strasse, will only lead to further unnecessary delays. "Therefore we demand that the planning is accelerated here clearly. With regard to the environmental lane on the Hermann-Wandersleb-Ring, which the SPD expressly welcomes, there is concern that more cars will then use the parallel, traffic-calmed part of Endenicher Straße as an alternative route.

Original text: Lisa Inhoffen

Translation: Mareike Graepel