The temporary lane ran 450 metres along the river Rhine. Cones and markings clearly separated the lanes for cars and for cyclists. “Many cycle paths and protective strips in Bonn are simply too narrow. They provide insufficient protection from parked and moving cars”, warns Annette Quaedvlieg of Radentscheid Bonn. In particular, the pavement on the Brassertufer is used a lot, reports Heinz. “When the weather is good, the path here is in very high use, also by cyclists.” 15,000 cyclists are said to ride along here every week. Over a million have been counted in a single year. “The elevated path along the Rhine is used by cyclists in both directions as a cycle path - although it is actually only a footpath,” says Quaedvlieg.

The cyclists riding along the Brassertufer on Sunday morning liked the improvised cycle lane. Marie Schanz cycles along here every day and does not feel well protected as a cyclist. “The strip here is well-travelled, especially on weekends,” reports the twenty-year-old. “It's a disaster, there's not enough room and different types of bikes get in each other’s way.” The Bonn resident agrees that a new bicycle lane on the banks of the Rhine would help.

Manfred Fuhrich also likes the temporarily gained space. “I hope that the lane will remain for longer, because it is also important to stand up for the weaker ones in traffic. And the cyclists are the weaker ones compared to the drivers,” says the Godesberger. Usually the section on the Brassertufer leaves the cyclist with questions. “The cycle path simply stops here, and you don't really know where to go,” reports Fuhrich. Pedestrians and cyclists share a narrow path in both directions. “This causes irritation between the road users, and it is important to know where you are allowed to ride and, above all, where you are safe,” says the cyclist. Fuhrich looks at the cones separating the road in the middle. “Car drivers and cyclists are now clearly separated, which provides greater safety,” he says.

For Heinz from the Radentscheid campaign, the 450 meter bike lane is only the beginning. “Our ideal would of course be a cycle lane that stretches along the entire bank of the Rhine.” Not only temporary solutions are needed, but also a long-term concept, demands Tobias Mandt from Radentscheid. “In our public petition, we call for permanent solutions to improve cycling and walking in Bonn. We need a comprehensive network of cycle paths and minimum standards for the construction of cycle paths, footpaths and crossings. So that everyone can move comfortably and safely through Bonn in the future,” emphasised the spokesman.

(Original text: Niklas Schröder, Translation: Caroline Kusch)