There are almost 13,000 motorcyclists in the Hochtaunus district alone.
The Große Feldberg is also the destination of bikers from all over the region who want to take their bike around the curve on the scenic routes.
The result is that local residents are complaining about accelerating motorbikes.
In summer, “noise breaks” should ensure peace and quiet on every second weekend.
They are the result of the trial lockdown two years ago.
That is how long the report has been coming.
If you read it carefully, you will find only weak arguments in favor of a driving ban.
When it comes to noise, which is probably the most important criterion for residents, the statements are ambiguous.
According to the calculated daily mean value, which the courts use as a criterion, blocking would hardly make it quieter.
The single screeching motorcycle with a manipulated exhaust does not matter in the calculation, however;
but can cause the fright on Sunday afternoon.
Such brief road closures have no influence at all on the accident statistics.
This is also confirmed by the latest figures: In 2020, without a driving ban, the number of motorcycle accidents in the entire Hochtaunus district fell from 88 to 81 compared to the previous year, and unlike in 2019 there were no deaths to complain about.
Getting the debate moving
However, one of the findings of the traffic test is that there were still a number of motorcyclists on the closed routes, so the driving ban would have to be closely monitored. This is perhaps the most important point: the energy for the route closure for six or seven weekends could be better used for permanent monitoring. In recent years the police have increased the number and scope of traffic controls significantly. In addition to the Feldberg region, alternative routes such as the Wisper Valley were also considered. And representatives of the residents as well as the motorcyclists confirm the impression that the effort was worth it.
It is correct that the traffic test set the debate about the burden on the tourist region in motion.
The area around the Großer Feldberg, where dozens of cyclists pedal up the mountain, hikers change the side of the road and half the region comes to visit when the weather is nice, is not good for lawn.
By the way, not for cars either.
Instead of temporary road closures, the police and regulatory authorities are in regular use for safety.