Loss due to Christmas market No mobile bikestands for the city of Bonn

Bonn · During the Bonn Christmas Market, no mobile bicycle parking facilities will be set up to replace the dismantled bicycle racks in downtown Bonn. The ADFC complains about the city’s failings.

Some bicycle stands in the city centre had to be dismantled because of the Christmas market. The city has erected replacement stands.

Some bicycle stands in the city centre had to be dismantled because of the Christmas market. The city has erected replacement stands.

Foto: Benjamin Westhoff

The Christmas market stalls in the city centre are mostly in place, but bicycle stands have been dismantled. The local German bike club (ADFC) is happy about the Christmas market, and although the ADFC planning spokesman Werner Böttcher understands the removal of the bikestands, he is nevertheless annoyed that “the same game repeats itself every year”. At the beginning of November, the city put up signs saying that no bicycles should be parked on Münsterplatz or Bottlerplatz. “What is missing is the simultaneous installation of the municipal mobile parking facilities as replacements and the indication on these signs where they can be found.”

Last year, at the insistence of the ADFC, the city readjusted its policy and, for example, set up an alternative bike stand at the fountain on the street In der Sürst. At that time, ADFC employees made it known that they would be planning the alternatives and information boards this year. “After all, we all want visitors to the Christmas market to come to the city by public transport and bicycle instead of by car, and then such oversights are absolutely counterproductive,” said Böttcher.

On request, the city administration will outline the existing parking facilities. “The bicycle stands in front of the House of Education and the Karstadt building will remain in use. In addition, replacement bicycle stands were created years ago in the area of the archway of the House of Education, which for logistical reasons are no longer dismantled and can thus be used throughout the year as additional parking facilities,” said Günter Dick, head of the public services. Böttcher does not consider this replacement provision to be sufficient.

For the huge event of the Bonn Christmas Market every year, the city removes "numerous objects temporarily from public spaces", said Dick. These mainly include bicycle racks and rubbish bins. For logistical and personnel reasons, the dismantling cannot be completed immediately prior to assembly of the Christmas market. Therefore the bicycle racks and rubbish bins disappeared a few weeks ago, for which Dick apologised for the inconvenience.

Original text: Philipp Königs

Translation John Chandler

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