Cycle lanes in Chemnitz
Reichenhainer Straße and Schloßstraße make the start
Cycling in Chemnitz is to be further strengthened and made safer. For this reason, a section of Schloßstraße was opened as a so-called bicycle road on 19 October 2021. At the end of April, the section of Reichenhainer Straße between Lutherstraße and Campusplatz was opened as a cycle lane in both directions.
Questions and answers: What you need to know about cycle lanes
A cycle lane is a carriageway that is initially only available to cyclists (and small electric vehicles in accordance with the Ordinance on Small Electric Vehicles). Other types of traffic, for example motor vehicles, can use a cycle lane if this is expressly authorised by an additional traffic sign.
Participation in road traffic requires constant caution and mutual consideration from all road users.
Every road user must behave in such a way that no one else is harmed, endangered or hindered or inconvenienced more than is unavoidable under the circumstances.
Cyclists have priority on cycle lanes. They determine their own speed and may ride side by side. The maximum permitted speed is 30 km/h.
In the interests of considerate coexistence in road traffic, cyclists travelling slowly should observe their surroundings and allow following motor vehicles to pass if necessary. In this way, conflicts can be avoided.
In all other respects, the regulations on the use of the carriageway and right of way in accordance with the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) apply.
Participation in road traffic requires all road users to exercise constant caution and mutual consideration.
Participation in road traffic requires all road users to exercise constant caution and mutual consideration.
Every road user must behave in such a way that no one else is harmed, endangered or hindered or inconvenienced more than is unavoidable under the circumstances.
Cyclists have priority in cycle lanes and may only be overtaken if the legal minimum overtaking distance of 1.50 m can be maintained and the maximum permitted speed of 30 km/h is adhered to. If this is not the case, overtaking is not permitted and the speed must be reduced accordingly.
Cyclists must under no circumstances be harassed (e.g. driving too close or overtaking with too little distance) and/or obstructed (e.g. parking outside marked areas). Drivers of motor vehicles should recognise that cyclists often ride only slightly slower than permitted and accept the minimal loss of time in the interests of road safety. In this way, conflicts can be avoided.
Cyclists are allowed to ride side by side in cycle lanes. Such behaviour does not constitute a violation of the StVO.
In all other respects, the regulations on the use of the carriageway and right of way in accordance with the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) apply.
A cycle lane is marked with sign 244.1 of the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO). Additional signs can be used to authorise traffic with motor vehicles.
Children under the age of eight must use the pavements alongside the road. In this case, persons accompanying children under the age of eight may also use the pavements alongside the road.
Children between the ages of eight and ten may choose whether to use the pavements alongside the road or the carriageway of the cycle lane. Persons accompanying children between the ages of eight and ten may use the same traffic facility.
Children aged eleven and over and all other cyclists are obliged to use existing cycle traffic facilities. This also applies to the cycle lane.
The Reichenhainer Straße cycle route will be in place from the end of April 2021. Further cycle lanes in the city of Chemnitz are currently being examined.
From the end of March 2021, large posters at Campusplatz and in the Reichenhainer Straße / Lutherstraße area will announce the cycle lane and explain the traffic rules of the cycle lane.
Fraunhofer Straße is an efficient alternative route for motor vehicle traffic that does not have an origin and/or destination in the Reichenhainer Straße area. This was built in order to shift motor vehicle traffic (through traffic) away from Reichenhainer Straße.
Yes, all motor vehicles are permitted to use the Reichenhainer Straße cycle lane. In this way, the accessibility of the Reichenhainer Straße neighbourhood is guaranteed for all road users.
Please refer to questions (2) and (3) for the rules of behaviour.
The section of Reichenhainer Straße between Stadlerplatz and Wartburgstraße was rebuilt in 2016/2017 for the Chemnitz Model, Stage 2.
Mixed traffic (shared use of the carriageway with motor vehicle traffic) was planned and implemented for cycle traffic in accordance with the applicable regulations. The carriageway was therefore designed with a width of 4.75 metres on both sides.
Since the reopening of the road, mixed traffic has been heavily criticised by cyclists, as it has often led to safety-critical overtaking manoeuvres by motor vehicle drivers.
In addition, the amendment to the German Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) in 2020 clearly emphasised the protection of cyclists and defined a minimum overtaking distance of 1.50 metres (subject to fines). Taking this safety measure into account, the carriageways in Reichenhainer Straße are not wide enough to ensure proper overtaking in the areas where there is on-street parking. This is due to the required safety distance between cyclists and parked vehicles.
In view of both of the aforementioned aspects, it was necessary for the city council to take action.
Various options for action were examined and evaluated by the responsible civil engineering department. As a result, the establishment of a cycle lane appears to be a suitable instrument for remedying the criticism:
- Cycle traffic is clearly prioritised, drivers of motor vehicles must adapt to cyclists. This reduces safety-critical overtaking manoeuvres, or at best avoids them altogether.
- The cycle lane can be incorporated into the existing road layout; no structural changes to the new traffic system are required.
- The cycle lane strengthens cycle traffic in general and on the important cycle route between the Chemnitz University of Technology sites on Reichenhainer Straße and Straße der Nationen as well as into the city centre. It is therefore an important contribution to the implementation of the cycling concept adopted by the city council and the Mobility Plan 2040, which is currently being developed.
- The cycle lane appears to be the most suitable way to accommodate the crowds of cyclists generated by students and university staff travelling between classes and the university campuses.
- The cycle lane connects to existing cycle traffic facilities (cycle lane between Wartburgstraße and Campusplatz and traffic-calmed area at Stadlerplatz) and thus becomes part of a coherent system.
- The construction of Fraunhofer Strasse provides motor vehicle traffic with an efficient alternative route, so that accessibility to the city centre is not restricted in any way. Reichenhainer Straße now only fulfils an access function. The remaining motor vehicle through traffic is also to be shifted to Fraunhofer Strasse.