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Segregated bike lanes without a traffic light in sight? The new vision for cycling in MunichMunich bike Autobahns

Segregated bike lanes without a traffic light in sight? The new vision for cycling in Munich

Wider, safer paths with full protection from cars could be a reality for Munich's commuters and shoppers...
by Sarah Barth
Sat, Aug 01, 2015 11:58
7

Cyclists in Munich could enjoy a safer, faster commute thanks to plans to build new ‘bike Autobahns’ across the city - a network of 14 two-way segregated lanes, unsullied by crossroads or traffic lights.

Although only at the planning stage, the proposals signal a move towards more protected cycleways  that are more spacious and safer.

According to the Süddeutsche Zeitung, the new lanes would measure four metres wide, making them spacious enough for two-way travel even with trailers attached. Generally cycle paths are designed to be 2.5m wide.

High speed intercity bike travel? Dutch could open 45kmph e-bike paths for commuters

There would be no interaction with cars whatsoever, but the estimated cost is a million Euros per kilometre.

Each route would be between five and 15km long, spreading out in a star shape from the city centre into the suburbs, providing relief on routes Martin Glass, Chairman of the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) Munich, described as ‘tedious’.

As we reported earlier this year, the Dutch could be on track to get their own super-fast e-bike freeway, allowing commuters to travel the 30km between Groningen, Haren, Assen and Tynaarlo faster than ever before under (mostly) their own steam.

E-bikes are increasingly popular in Holland, and with speeds up to 45 kmph city authorities are looking at ways to exploit their use for intercity transport.

Henk Brink, a deputy from Drenthe, told Die Krant van Midden-Drenthe, “New rapid cycle infrastructure could be a nice addition to all measures that we have already taken in the field of cycling and accessibility in the Groningen-Assen region.”

The new paths could include features like sensors, alternative power generation, self-healing pavement and asphalt that glows in the dark.

infrastructure
Germany
munich
bike lanes
segregated bike lanes

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7 comments

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severs1966 | 9 years ago
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"bike Autobahns" ?

A path that expressly forbids the use of Autos being named after an Autobahn, which expressly forbids the use of bikes?
Can we invent a phrase that is less self-contradictory?

There needs to be an English phrase for an expressway for cycles, and hopefully not the term "superhighway" which itself is a ludicrous superlative version of the term "highway". Having said that, "highway" is already not very descriptive of the kind of shitty facilities that bike riders in British towns and cities are fobbed off with.

Apart from the obvious but American sounding "cycle expressway", can anyone come up with a decent term?

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northernrebel | 9 years ago
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We finished a 2 week cycle tour of Austria & Bavaria in Munich last month, and the cycling infrastructure in the city & surrounding area is already pretty decent. Signposted cycle routes take you right into Marienplatz in the heart of the old city and once you are in the suburbs you're either on quiet residential roads or riding through woods.
Although most roadside cycle lanes are compulsory, cyclists have right of way where they cross side roads/entrances. I nearly fell off when I stopped at a crossing & the car stopped for me!

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jollygoodvelo | 9 years ago
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Radschnellverbindungen. Ride-fast-connectings.

I've been to Munich. It's a really nice place. My view was coloured by beer and schweinshaxe, but this sounds good too.

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Bigfella195 | 9 years ago
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Ah Utopia! If only Australia's road mad politicians could understand that widening roads leads to more congestion.

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alexn | 9 years ago
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The Plans look great, but still debatable if it will ever happen! But I would greatly appreciate if it did happen, as I m moving to Munich from London next week. 21

Anything to make my commute/training out of the city safer and quicker is good with me!

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kie7077 | 9 years ago
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The new paths could include features like sensors, alternative power generation, self-healing pavement and asphalt that glows in the dark.

And yet it's still a fraction of the cost of the Barclays cycle superhighway.

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Pete Spork | 9 years ago
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Bit of a misleading picture caption - that's the Copenhagen Cycle Snake.

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