Cyclists in Benrath, Dusseldorf, to encounter action on Saturday, as scenic vistas remain elusive
In the bustling city of Düsseldorf, a group of concerned activists, including the cycling group of Düsseldorf's NaturFreunde, Social Pedals, Bürgerinitiative Hafenalarm, the Benrather Initiative for Sustainability, and the ADFC Düsseldorf, are rallying for change. On April 1st, they will gather at Schöne Aussicht in Benrath to draw attention to the shortcomings in planning that have left cyclists and pedestrians in a precarious situation during the closure of the Rhine cycling path.
The Rhine cycling path at Schöne Aussicht is currently closed for 18 months due to canal construction works, which involve the laying of a second wastewater canal over a length of 170 meters at a depth of 6.5 meters to prevent backups. This closure has caused a ripple of inconvenience for cyclists, with many being directed onto the Benrather Schlossallee, a road where trams run and the right-hand lane is often blocked by parked cars.
The activists are demanding a "pop-up cycling path" to be set up on both sides of the Schlossallee between Schöne Aussicht and Pigageallee during the construction period. They argue that the lack of safety measures on the Schlossallee makes for a dangerous situation, especially when the tram comes, as it gets dangerously tight due to the lack of safety measures and blocked right-hand lane.
In the northbound direction, cyclists only find themselves in a forest of signs, while in the opposite direction, there is a cycling path, but it runs on the sidewalk and does not meet today's standards for cycling paths. Cargo bikes need more space, making the situation even tighter, and the tram tracks make it worse at Schöne Aussicht.
The organizers of the Saturday action, along with the ADFC, criticize the city's inadequate planning for the closed cycling section at Schöne Aussicht, particularly for schoolchildren, day trippers, and cyclists on the International Rhine Cycling Path. They believe that a temporary cycling path would not only improve safety but also maintain accessibility for cyclists during the closure.
The activists are inviting all citizens, whether on a bike or on foot, to participate in the action on April 1st at 11 am at Schöne Aussicht. For precise, real-time updates on the pop-up cycling path construction during the Rhine cycling path closure in Düsseldorf’s Schöne Aussicht, it is recommended to check Düsseldorf’s municipal transport department announcements or local news sources. These often provide detailed progress reports, expected reopening dates, and instructions for cyclists during such closures.
- The activists, including the cycling group of Düsseldorf's NaturFreunde and others, are advocating for a "pop-up cycling path" to be established along the Benrather Schlossallee during the Rhine cycling path's 18-month closure, as the current road is unsafe for cyclists due to the presence of trams and parked cars.
- The lack of sufficient planning for the Rhine cycling path's closure at Schöne Aussicht has been criticized by the activists alongside ADFC, particularly in relation to the safety and accessibility of the area for schoolchildren, day trippers, and cyclists on the International Rhine Cycling Path.
- For those interested in supporting the activists or wanting to stay updated on the pop-up cycling path's construction during the Rhine cycling path closure in Düsseldorf’s Schöne Aussicht, it is recommended to refer to announcements from the municipal transport department or local news sources for detailed progress reports, expected reopening dates, and cyclist-specific instructions.
