Grugatrasse: Essen invests millions in cycling - criticism of condition!

Grugatrasse: Essen invests millions in cycling - criticism of condition!

On May 7, 2025, the city of Essen announced a significant expansion of the Grugatrasse, an important cycle and sidewalk connection that connects numerous important places. The planned expansion towards Mülheim is estimated at around 3.6 million euros, and thus adds up to a total of 8.6 million euros, which are provided for this and the eastern expansion phase. This step is part of a consistent plan to improve the cycling infrastructure in the city.

The Grugatrasse, which runs between the A 52 motorway bridge in Rüttenscheid and the Kurt Schumacher Bridge in Steele, is the most used cycle path connection in the Essen city area with between 2,500 and 3,000 cyclists every day. This number grows up to 7,000 on weekends. According to Lokalkompass.de there is a need for expansion for safety reasons and to create ecologically valuable biotopes.

political reactions and reviews

The group leader of the Essen citizen Bündnis, Kai Hemsteeg, commented critically on the priorities of the city in cycle path construction. He emphasizes that the streets in Essen are in historically poor condition and emphasizes that only 9.6 million euros will be planned for the preservation of the main roads in the coming year. Hemsteeg demands an increase in the remediation and criticizes that applications from the EBB are often rejected or ignored.

In addition, Hemsteg noted that the city is not planning the construction of the construction of the western expansion of Grugatrasse before autumn 2029. He demands that the city administration should take its responsibility for road safety for all citizens seriously.

Details for the expansion of the Grugatrasse

The Committee on the Environment, Climate and Consumer Protection recommended the construction decision to expand the Grugatrasse on May 2, 2023. The city of Essen's council is to take place on May 17, 2023. About 80 percent of the expansion costs are to be covered by funding from the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

The route will be widened to 6.50 meters by the end of 2025 and also includes the replacement of the bridge on the Glockenberg and the widening of the bridge over Eschenstrasse. A total of 38 trees are felled, while 121 replanting are planned to protect ecological balance.

In addition, the route is divided into a separate walking and cycle path area. Reflecting boundary strips should additionally increase security. These measures are part of a comprehensive plan to promote cycling, which is not only for more security, but also for a sustainable turnover of traffic, as is also emphasized in a publication of the DStGB. This emphasizes the need for a well -developed cycling infrastructure as an active municipal climate protection.

With the implementation of these plans, the city of Essen could not only increase traffic safety for cyclists and pedestrians, but also increase the attractiveness for bicycle traffic and consequently support tourism.