Uelzen's traffic turnaround: cyclists have to adapt to new rules!

Uelzen's traffic turnaround: cyclists have to adapt to new rules!

Important changes are coming in Uelzen that are intended to significantly increase traffic safety. How az online reported, construction work will begin this week, focusing on Bahnhofstrasse and St.-Viti-Strasse. Here the maximum speed is reduced to 30 km/h to minimize the risk of accidents.

New zebra crossings will be installed at the intersection of the two streets, but the changes will not be without consequences for cyclists. From now on, you will only have to use the carriageway on Bahnhofstrasse, as the previous combined pedestrian and cycle path in the direction of the city center is no longer allowed. Signage will be changed accordingly and pictograms will be obscured to clarify the new regulations.

Rules for cyclists at zebra crossings

But what does this actually mean for cyclists? According to information from bussgeldkatalog.org Cyclists are allowed to cross zebra crossings, but do not have priority over pedestrians, who have priority on these crossings. To exercise pedestrian privilege, they must dismount and push their bicycle. Otherwise, they have to approach the zebra crossing at “walking speed” and possibly wait for pedestrians who want to cross the street.

A violation of this rule - such as driving through a zebra crossing - can be punished with a fine of 20 euros. Driving at excessive speeds or blocking pedestrians can also be punishable. It is also important to note that in the event of an accident while crossing a crosswalk, cyclists may be held partially at fault if they do not pay attention to pedestrians.

Improvements for cyclists

City spokeswoman Ute Krüger has confirmed that the redesign work in the entire Hanseatic city of Uelzen should entail a comprehensive review of traffic routing for cyclists. It was found that not all cycle paths comply with legal requirements. The plans for these improvement measures will be presented after the summer break.

Another highlight is the upcoming tender for the first Eastern cycle priority route, which is due to take place in August. This route leads over Lindenstrasse from Birkenallee to Ripdorfer Strasse and further over the Ilmenauufer to the Long Bridge, which is being converted into a cycle route. This initiative is intended to significantly promote cycling in Uelzen and increase safety.

With the planned campaign to inform road users, in which the police, the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) and the traffic police are involved, the city is coming closer to its goal of raising awareness of traffic rules. In times of increasing numbers of cyclists, this is an important measure to guide both cyclists and pedestrians safely through city traffic.