1. “The current state remains the baseline” – this means gaps in the bike network and hazardous spots. The city is expected to merely patch up damage instead of planning streets and traffic areas in a way that allows everyone to get around more safely and efficiently. Result: The overcrowded main traffic arteries, the lack of bicycle-friendly route networks, and the inadequate public transit system remain unchanged. This is life-threatening for children, cyclists, and seniors—and by no means forward-looking. Far too many people in Essen are therefore afraid to get on a bike.
2. Virtually no bicycle planning and only minimum standards - The publications of the FGSV (Research Association for Road and Transport Engineering), including E-Klima 2022, represent the current state of the art—that is, what must be built to plan safe and climate-friendly transportation. Sidewalks need to be at least 2.5 meters wide, bicycle lanes at least 1.85 meters, and bike paths at least 2.0 meters; wider dimensions are recommended. If stationary traffic cannot be avoided, safety separation strips must be provided for all types of bicycle traffic routing—including on protected lanes and even in mixed traffic. Anything less is illegal and carries personal liability risks for planners and decision-makers. The CDU and SPD call this a “luxury”—experts call it “safety.”
3. Instead of less traffic, CDU and SPD decisions threaten more gridlock - Only a reliable public transportation system with regular service, along with bike paths and sidewalks where everyone feels safe, can offer attractive alternatives. If more people switch to public transit, those who truly depend on a car will spend less time stuck in traffic. However, the CDU and SPD no longer want to offer solutions to this problem. Even concepts that are already complete, such as the mobility plan and bicycle traffic plans (Ringstraße, Wittenbergstraße, etc.), are not being pursued further. The result: there are hardly any real alternatives, so traffic on the roads isn’t decreasing either.
4. Lack of Strengthening for Public Transit - “Public transit in Essen will be strengthened in a targeted and effective manner by prioritizing selective acceleration measures,” say the CDU and SPD. However, this means: no comprehensive expansion of public transit, but only a patchwork of improvements within the existing network! This is a clear rejection of Essen’s citizens, who rely on public transit every day or cannot use it due to excessively long travel times. We need public transit that reliably gets people to their destinations with attractive schedules and is well-connected to neighboring cities. Because when the service is right, people are happy to leave the traffic-clogged streets in favor of public transit. 

What will happen if the city of Essen follows the new guidelines from the CDU and SPD?

• Bicycle routes and school routes will remain too dangerous: too few 30 km/h zones, no safe bike lanes for students. More drop-off and pick-up traffic. Isolated adjustments alone will not create a consistently safe network of routes.
• Residential streets will remain noisy, and the air unhealthy: Through traffic blocks efforts to improve the quality of residential neighborhoods because cars are allowed to drive through everywhere.
• Essen remains a traffic jam hotspot: A lack of attractive alternatives means too many people remain dependent on cars—and traffic jams continue to clog Essen’s streets.
• Waste of money: Plans and concepts that are already complete—and for which taxpayer money has already been spent—are being thrown in the trash. Patching things up instead of building right. Courts will overturn plans that deviate from safety standards.
• Driving bans: With the tightening of EU air quality regulations in 2030, driving bans for combustion engines threaten to return to Essen. Therefore, the expansion of good public transit options—including buses, trains, cycling, walking, and car-sharing—must be prioritized now.

Why now?
The CDU and SPD want to change the city of Essen’s transportation policy guidelines now, effectively backing out of the “RadEntscheid” initiative and the cycling promotion measures it established. 

Essen can do better: Safer routes to school. Less traffic. Getting to your destination faster. Quieter streets. Cleaner air. Investments in good mobility for everyone that are worth it. 

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