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Second place among major cities / City leaders see the award as an incentive and point to the need for action
In the nationwide "Bicycle Climate Test 2024" conducted by the ADFC (General German Bicycle Club) and the Federal Ministry of Transport, the science city of Darmstadt second place in the category of large cities with between 100,000 and 200,000 inhabitants. Professor Robert Karnes, head of the Mobility and Civil Engineering Office, and Johanna Grön, head of the Local Mobility Planning department, accepted the award in Berlin on Tuesday (June 17).
Despite the positive ranking, Mayor Hanno Benz and Head of Mobility Paul Georg Wandrey still see an urgent need for action – especially regarding the consistent implementation of planned measures and improving the sense of security for cyclists.
City leaders emphasize pragmatic solutions
“Our mobility concept aims to ensure safe travel for all road users in our city,” said Mayor Benz. “To achieve this, we are developing pragmatic solutions, promoting integration with public transport, and providing the necessary infrastructure. This award demonstrates that our work is having an impact – at the same time, we take critical feedback very seriously.”
According to Darmstadt's Head of Mobility, Wandrey, the share of cycling in the city's transportation system has risen to 27 percent , as also shown in the "Mobility in Cities" study for 2023, published in January. "The cycling climate test confirms this trend. At the same time, we see that there are still gaps in the cycle path network and that some projects are stalled. We take this as a mandate," Wandrey emphasizes.
ADFC praises commitment – but calls for more consistency
The ADFC (General German Bicycle Club) praises Darmstadt's commitment and infrastructure in the area of cycling, but criticizes a lower rating for recent cycling promotion and public relations efforts. The city's leadership also shares the demand for more consistent implementation of ongoing measures.
Wandrey emphasizes: “Expanding cycling infrastructure not only contributes to a shift in traffic patterns, but also creates more peace and harmony in urban mobility. A balanced transport policy must take all needs into account.”
The results of the ADFC Bicycle Climate Test 2024 can be found at: fahrradklima-test.adfc.de/ergebnisse
(DARMSTADT – RED/stip)
