There was keen interest in an online survey by the Frankfurt/Rhein-Main regional association on plans for a cycle expressway through the Wetterau.

It forms a first step for further action in this project, which the regional association is coordinating in cooperation with the Wetterau district and the towns and communities along the route.

Wolfram Ahlers

Correspondent for the Rhein-Main-Zeitung for central Hesse and the Wetterau.

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The regional association has set itself the goal of linking the greater Rhine-Main area with a series of cycle expressways.

The slope in the north of the metropolitan area is intended to connect the western part of the Wetterau from Butzbach in the north via Bad Nauheim, Friedberg, Wöllstadt, Karben and Bad Vilbel as the southernmost district municipality to Frankfurt and, as a route designed for everyday use, will particularly benefit commuters.

According to the regional association, more than 1,800 participants took part in the survey on the expressway through the district, which is a record for previous expressway projects.

Most of the returns came from Bad Nauheim, Karben and Bad Vilbel, but Friedberg and Butzbach are also well represented, they say.

The suggestions are constructive and very helpful for further work, said the first deputy and mobility director of the regional association, Rouven Kötter (SPD).

Clearly preferred route not identifiable

In the survey, the regional association put several possible routes up for discussion for a 40-kilometer corridor between Butzbach and the north of Frankfurt.

The west and east variants are proposed, which lead almost parallel from the northern parts of Frankfurt to Butzbach on a short route.

There is also a connection that could be realized along the Main-Weser railway as part of the four-track expansion of the railway line between Bad Vilbel and Friedberg.

A west tangent between Frankfurt and Friedberg was also presented.

This leads via Nieder-Erlenbach and Petterweil to Friedberg, so it is the variant that mainly takes into account smaller towns in the western tip of the district, but does not directly connect Bad Vilbel, Karben and Wöllstadt.

The corridor has been divided into six sections from north to south on the map to make it easier for respondents to identify and identify their preferred variant.

Depending on the section, each of the variants was convincing, but a clearly preferred route over the entire corridor could not be determined from the opinion, the regional association sums up.

They were also asked what would be particularly important for a cycle expressway.

The most frequently mentioned was the desire to avoid cyclists getting in the way of cars and pedestrians.

The criterion of directness, i.e. a route without detours, was also rated as particularly relevant.

Comment columns show different desires

Last but not least, the proposed routes could be commented on.

Almost 400 participants took advantage of this and placed almost 1000 points on the online map.

In addition to information about danger spots, steep gradients and the potential for conflict with other road users, new routes were also suggested.

The comment columns also showed the different wishes of the population.

Although many would like the Radschnellweg to run as straight as possible, further surface sealing, which was also often mentioned, should be largely avoided.

Different views were expressed as to whether a cycle superhighway should preferably go through or around the towns.

Another concern is that rest areas and service stations should be set up where minor repairs to bicycles can be made and where shelter can be provided in the event of heavy rain.

Last but not least, because of the length of the cycle path, there was a suggestion to include local public transport in further planning;

This means that a better combination of cycling and trips by train and bus is possible.

The results of the online participation flow into the train path evaluation.

In a next step, the project partners want to decide on a preferred variant.

As part of the feasibility study, suggestions for the individual measures required for the construction of the cycle path follow.

The decision as to whether the implementation of the cycle expressway should be pursued further is made by the municipalities on the basis of the study.