Lübeck on the bike: public transport and bicycle use reach new heights!

Lübeck on the bike: public transport and bicycle use reach new heights!

What are the current trends in Lübeck's transport usage? A current mobility survey provides exciting insights. According to the latest figures presented by the Lübeck Greens, the share of local public transport (ÖPNV) in Lübeck has increased from 11% in 2018 to 14% in 2024. That is a pleasing 3% more, which also provides the foundations for future-oriented urban planning. This is also reflected in bicycle use, which increased from 21% to 26%. You could say that the people of Lübeck are cycling into the future!

On the other hand, there is a positive development in motorized private transport. This has fallen from 43% to 37% – a decrease of 6%. Foot traffic also fell by 3%. The Green Party's transport policy spokesman, Arne-Matz Ramcke, highlights the clear trend towards cycling and the declining use of motorized means of transport. These are signs of a change in awareness among the population, which places more value on sustainable means of transport.

Factors for change

A key factor for the increased share of public transport is nationwide Germany ticket, which supports the use of public transport. Sascha Peukert, a member of the building committee, stated that projects such as the cycle highway on Ratzeburger Allee must be shown as the first steps in the right direction. However, further expansion projects are necessary to achieve the mobility goals. The planned expansion program for bus transport in 2024 is seen here as a measure to further increase public transport use, also as part of the climate protection master plan, which aims to achieve a public transport share of 20%.

The decline in private motorized transport in particular shows that citizens are increasingly willing to switch from their cars to more environmentally friendly alternatives. This is in line with the general trend in the country, where, according to the Mobility in Germany 2023 Study conducted between May 2023 and June 2024, the proportion of trips made by bicycle stagnated at around 11%. But the commitment to cycling remains strong, with a third of the kilometers traveled now being on electrically assisted bicycles.

Challenges and outlook

However, the challenges should not be underestimated. The “Bicycle Street Old Town”, a project that has been announced since 2019, is only being implemented slowly. The so-called danger spots, such as the linden plate and the doll bridge, also require urgent improvements. There are numerous calls for a consistent expansion of the cycling infrastructure and further measures to promote environmental connectivity.

The transport development plan has set ambitious goals for the year 2040: 30% motor vehicle traffic and 70% environmental connectivity. The progress suggests the city is on the right track. However, it remains to be seen how quickly the necessary structures can be implemented to achieve a safe and sustainable mobility concept for Lübeck.