Cycling priority on Mühlenstraße in Greifswald is eliminated
In a surprising turn of events, the city of Greifswald has decided to abolish the bike street regulation on Mühlenstraße, effective from September 8, 2025. This decision comes as a result of a ruling by the Greifswald Administrative Court.
The court's ruling was issued in response to a plaintiff's challenge of resident parking spaces in Mühlenstraße, designated as a bike street. The plaintiff argued that parking was too restrictive for street traffic, negating the primary purpose of a bike street. As a consequence, the Administrative Court ruled that the resident parking spaces must be removed, resulting in a general no-stopping zone in the entire Mühlenstraße.
Mayor Dr. Stefan Fassbinder and Senator for Urban Development Achim Lerm view this decision as a step backwards that they deeply regret. They express their disappointment in the legal dispute not contributing to improving cycling conditions in the city. Dr. Fassbinder, in particular, states that the previous solution allowed for a good coexistence of different types of traffic, and it could have continued to be practical.
The city administration, police, fire department, and traffic authority inspected the site to determine traffic regulations. The decision to abolish the regulation was made to balance the interests of cyclists, established businesses, and residents. Establishments like the post office, hotel, furniture store, and flower shop rely on delivery traffic, which would be affected by a no-stopping zone. Services from tradespeople, social services, and waste collection would also be affected.
Despite the abolition of the bike street regulation, cyclists will still be able to use Muhlenstraße. However, they will no longer be allowed to ride side by side. The street will once again be part of the 30 km/h zone in the city center, primarily designed to protect residents, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Achim Lerm, the Senator for Urban Development, expresses that Greifswald as a bike city is losing a piece of bike-friendly infrastructure with this decision. He laments the loss of a dedicated space for cyclists in the city center.
The decision to abolish the bike street regulation on Mühlenstraße is a significant development in the city's traffic regulations. As the city continues to navigate the challenges of balancing the needs of different road users, residents, and businesses, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact the city's cycling culture and infrastructure in the long run.
Read also:
- Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill: BP Faces Record-Breaking Settlement - Dubbed 'Largest Environmental Fine Ever Imposed'
- Cars' Environmental Impact Explained
- Lawsuit of Phenomenal Magnitude: FIFA under threat due to Diarra's verdict, accused of player injustice
- The German automobile sector requires advancement in environmentally friendly steel production
