Mr. Majer, Mr. Siefert, the turnaround in traffic in Frankfurt seems to have been decided.

At least that's what it says in the coalition agreement between the Greens, SPD, FDP and Volt.

But many citizens are taking to the barricades, not wanting to give up driving.

Mechthild Harting

Editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung.

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Ralph Euler

Editor in the Rhein-Main-Zeitung, responsible for the Rhein-Main section of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sunday newspaper.

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Majer: The traffic turnaround is not an ideology, but a necessity if we want to get serious about climate protection and save CO2.

The mobility behavior of many citizens has also changed, and they expect politicians to draw the necessary conclusions from this.

Mobility in Frankfurt, but also in the region, must be spelled out anew.

There's no way around it.

Do you want to force the traffic turnaround in Frankfurt?

Majer: In the end we won't be able to convince everyone.

But of course I talk to critics and doubters, and my designated successor Wolfgang Siefert will do the same.

But we cannot please everyone - car drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users - at every point, because the different interests are often in conflict with each other.

Many drivers are already switching to hybrid and electric vehicles.

Isn't that enough for the traffic turnaround?

Majer: The car will remain part of mobility in Frankfurt and the region.

That is not up for grabs at all.

But it is also clear that the traffic space is limited – we cannot rebuild the city.

The available space must therefore be redistributed in some places.

This requires clever solutions that enable all modes of transport to work together in a compatible manner.

Do you mean: the importance of the car must decrease?

Siefert: It's not about people not driving cars anymore.

But especially in the inner-city districts, the vehicles are often more of a standing vehicle.

Many people still have a car, but only use it for shopping or for a weekend trip.

You can ask yourself the question: Do I still need my own car or isn't car sharing a sensible alternative?

Once again: The traffic areas in the city center and in many parts of the city are being redistributed – at the expense of cars.

Siefert: The area is distributed fairly.

Why is it so difficult for you to say that you want more space for cyclists and pedestrians?

Siefert: Such an answer is too shallow for me.

The decisive thing is what we as a city society gain from it: more quality of stay and better accessibility with all means of transport.

Majer: We react to changing realities and the wishes of citizens.

If car traffic decreases and more and more people want to ride a bike, politicians have to react and create more and, above all, safe bike paths.

Car traffic in the city center is decreasing?