On two wheels to Finland: Schweriners cycle for city twinning!

On two wheels to Finland: Schweriners cycle for city twinning!

On Saturday, July 5th, an adventurous bike ride from Schwerin to Vaasa in Finland will bring a breath of fresh air to the local cycling community. Five cyclists and two female cyclists from the ADFC Schwerin set off at 8.30 a.m. to properly celebrate the 55th anniversary of the town twinning with Vaasa. There are around 1,400 kilometers on the route, which will take you through the Swedish twin town of Växjö. The group is personally farewelled by Mayor Rico Badenschier, who gives them greetings along the way. Roberto Koschmidder, board member and tour leader of the ADFC Schwerin, describes the participants as ambassadors for the city and cycling.

The ADFC Schwerin organized the tour with great commitment and invites everyone interested to say goodbye to the cyclists at Bertha-Klingberg-Platz or to accompany them on the first few kilometers. The commitment of the city and the club underlines the importance of intercultural exchange and an active lifestyle, which is required more than ever these days. But it's not just the adventure that counts; The safety of cyclists is also of great importance.

Road safety in focus

Cyclists and pedestrians are among the most vulnerable road users, which is why careful behavior on the road is essential. The ADFC Schwerin emphasizes the importance of a confident but defensive driving style. Anticipatory driving and adapting your driving style to the respective situation are crucial to avoid accidents. Hand signals should be given, especially when turning, to clearly communicate the intention and ensure visibility for other road users.

In Einbeck, special attention is paid to road safety for cyclists as part of regular bicycle demos. At one of these demonstrations, around two dozen participants viewed problem areas in traffic routing, particularly on routes to school. The common criticism is that there are only narrow protective strips on the main route for students. These are planned with a minimum width of 1.85 meters, but only 1.15 meters wide, which poses a significant risk to safety. It is evident that measures to improve infrastructure are necessary to meet the needs of cyclists, especially parents with trailers or cargo bikes.

Together for better cycling infrastructure

The discussion about safe cycle paths is not just limited to Einbeck. The challenges for cyclists, particularly with inadequate path design and width, are a hot topic in many cities across the region. Driving in the wrong direction on roads and cycle paths is also recognized as a major problem that must be avoided at all costs. The traffic transition initiative in Einbeck is planning a traffic transition festival on September 10th to promote livable city and bicycle streets and to invite everyone interested to contribute their ideas.

It remains to be hoped that the upcoming trip to Finland will not only set an example for sporting ambition, but also for increased awareness of the safety of cyclists in northern Germany. Together, cities and communities – like the ADFC Schwerin – can ensure better conditions and make everyday life safer for all road users.