The state capital is one of five model municipalities nationwide that have been selected and supported by the German Pedestrian Association for the development of a pedestrian strategy.

The project with the title “Let it go well - Alliance for attractive pedestrian traffic” aims to increase the safety and attractiveness of getting around on one's own two feet and to provide the city administrations with appropriate recommendations.

Oliver Bock

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung for the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis and for Wiesbaden.

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In addition to Wiesbaden, Braunschweig, Erfurt, Flensburg and Meißen were also selected. By the beginning of 2023 there will be a strategic dialogue with the city administration, a workshop, a pedestrian check, a pedestrian campaign on the street and an inspection with local politicians as a “party discussion on the sidewalk” in each of the five cities. In addition, citizens are being sought for each district who, as “neighborhood walkers”, should carry out a pedestrian check after training.

They should act as a link between citizens and administration.

The project has a duration of two years and is funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety and the Federal Environment Agency.

A total of 30 German cities applied to participate as model cities.

By participating, Wiesbaden wants to get closer to the self-imposed goal of “pedestrian city number one in Germany”, which was formulated in the Transport Development Plan 2030.

"We are still relatively at the beginning," says Rosa Jahn from the traffic planning department.

Long waiting times at crossings should be avoided

Due to the impending diesel driving bans and subsequently implemented projects for air pollution control, however, a lot is moving with regard to a traffic turnaround. Wiesbaden also wants to use this momentum to promote pedestrian traffic. The digital traffic control system that is about to go into operation will also keep an eye on pedestrians and should, for example, help avoid excessively long waiting times at crossings.

According to the head of the traffic department, Andreas Kowol (Die Grünen), pedestrians in Wiesbaden are already on the move more often than in most other major German cities.

Wiesbaden wants to build on this.

According to the 2016 traffic studies, 17 percent of all journeys in the state capital are made on foot.

However, almost half is accounted for by the car, which from the city's point of view is in great need of improvement.

Pedestrian traffic also plays a role in the mobility model, even if the focus there is on expanding bicycle traffic.

The mission statement says, for example: “Pedestrians must be able to cross roads safely in one train and without waiting on the central island.

This can also be implemented at the expense of car traffic. "

The Lord Mayor also supports participation in the project: “As a model city, our aim is to take pedestrian traffic into account more in our planning in the future and to implement some of the suggestions drawn up with the trade association to improve pedestrian traffic in the coming years “, Announced Gert-Uwe Mende (SPD).

Citizens who want to get involved can contact the email address fvs@fuss-ev.de.