Delays on the cycle highway: What is happening in Braunschweig?

Delays on the cycle highway: What is happening in Braunschweig?

The idea of ​​a cycle highway between the cities of Braunschweig, Wolfenbüttel and Salzgitter has been around for several years. However, this planned Y-line, which will lead from Braunschweig in two directions - to Salzgitter and Wolfenbüttel - is a long time coming. The path to implementation has stalled in recent months. The last update on the plans was announced in August 2025, but since then a fresh update has been expected to be presented next August. RegionalToday reports that the route finding should be completed by the beginning of 2026. Gisela Noske from the Greater Braunschweig Regional Association addressed the situation in a recent interview and justified the delays with the tense market situation in the planning office sector.

A crucial point on the way to completion is the commissioning of a suitable planning office, which was only possible at the end of October 2025. Public participation in spring 2025 has already led to over 300 route suggestions from citizens, which makes the evaluation and subsequent planning more extensive. The overarching goal is to create a comprehensible and transparent planning process, with the first interim results expected in 2026. The three best route proposals are planned for the second quarter of 2026, and discussion of these results should take place in the municipalities before the 2026 summer holidays.

The importance of the rapid cycle connection

The planned rapid cycle connection, which will cover around 18 kilometers, could be an answer to the increasing demand for cycling between cities. This measure is part of a larger plan to reduce CO2 emissions in the transport sector. The regional association has carried out feasibility studies to evaluate the need and effects of such a rapid cycle connection. It was determined that cooperation between the cities of Braunschweig, Salzgitter and Wolfenbüttel is essential. Regional association reports on the defined next steps, which include detailed planning and definition of the route.

The estimated cost of the project is around 24 million euros, with federal funding of 75 percent approved, making financing much easier. The goal is to complete the rapid cycle connection by the end of 2030 in order to make travel times by bicycle equivalent to using a car.

Sustainable transport for the future

The need for such an initiative is strongly underlined by current climate policy. Germany is obliged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 65% ​​compared to 1990 by 2030. Transport contributed over 22% of nationwide emissions in 2023. Cycling is valued as one of the most climate-friendly forms of transport - it does not produce any harmful greenhouse gases, saves space and is quiet. Federal Environment Agency highlights that cycling is an excellent alternative to driving for many short journeys of less than 5 km.

Around 257 million journeys are made in Germany every day. Cycling accounts for 11% of trips and only 3% of passenger kilometers. The shift from motorized individual transport to cycling could significantly reduce CO2 emissions and improve air quality in cities. A rethink is necessary, and the planned high-speed cycle connection between Braunschweig, Wolfenbüttel and Salzgitter could be a decisive step in this direction.