City of Mönchengladbach defends itself to the bike path against court decision!

City of Mönchengladbach defends itself to the bike path against court decision!

On February 25, 2025, the Düsseldorf Administrative Court decided that the city of Mönchengladbach had to reduce the recently set up "Protected Bike Lane" within three weeks. This cycle path infrastructure, which was introduced in summer 2023, is considered the first of its kind in Mönchengladbach and is an ambitious project to improve security for cyclists. However, the implementation is now under an unfavorable star, since the court expressed doubts about the legal admissibility of the adhesive stones used and saw the conditions for the rededication of a lane into a bike path. The city has now lodged a complaint against this decision and sees the decision a major restriction for cycling.

The main committee of the city of Mönchengladbach will deal with the topic in a special meeting next Monday. The city administration sees the need for a secure bike path on Hohenzollernstraße, especially since the old bike path is in desolate state and does not correspond to the modern security standards. Mayor Felix Heinrichs emphasizes that there is no shortage of avoiding a protected cycle path for safety reasons. The city administration plans to develop alternative solutions in order to continue to secure cycling.

Current developments

Despite the judicial order, the city remains optimistic and hopes to be heard in the Higher Administrative Court. This complaint must be filed within two weeks. The city administration is already planning to renew the lane ceiling in the area of ​​Protected Bike Lane. During the Easter holidays, a new ceiling coating is to be applied in all traces of Hohenzollernstraße in order to increase both safety and comfort for cyclists.

Nevertheless, there are concerns. The so-called adhesive head stones, which were originally installed as a structural separation between bike and motorized traffic, are considered critical. Originally installed, due to accidents in which drivers had overlooked them, they were defused by red and white warning. After converting a car lane into a bike track, the bicycle traffic volume rose by over 30 percent within one year. The city regrets the court ruling because the Protected Bike Lane is regarded as a significant improvement in security for cyclists.

financial and structural challenges

The comprehensive renovation of the bike path next to the row of trees would cost several million euros and endanger many trees. These ecological and financial implications face the authorities with a huge challenge. From a local perspective, a dismantling of the Protected Bike Lane is not only a missed opportunity for the promotion of bicycle traffic, but could also be considered a step backwards in a time when many cities worldwide expand and improve.

For the citizens there will be a public meeting of the main committee on March 17, in which the future design of Hohenzollernstrasse and the role of cyclists will be discussed in it. The significant increase in cyclists and the associated safety aspects illustrate the increasing pressure on the city to find a sustainable and safe solution for all road users.