Hamburg expanding cycle paths as part of mobility transition

Commenting on the importance of cycling, Anjes Tjarks, Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition, said: "The newly built or renovated cycle paths are fundamental to a successful mobility transition in Hamburg and to achieving a significant change in the modal split." By 2030, 80 per cent of all trips undertaken in Hamburg should be part of the "environmental alliance," i.e., public transport, cycling and walking. "Cycling plays a major role in achieving this," Tjarks added. The need for a safe and comfortable cycling infrastructure in Hamburg has increased significantly especially as 33 per cent more cyclists took to their bikes in 2020 over 2019.

The expansion of the cycle route network or velo routes made a significant leap forward in 2020, the report found, and noted an increase of 70 per cent or 25 kilometres of newly-built or renovated cycle routes over 2019. Nearly two-thirds of the entire bike route network with 14 routes and a total of 280 kilometres, have now been completed.

Last year’s best-known bike lane projects include the bike lane in Altona (Thadenstraße), the 4.75-metre-wide bike lane on Ballindamm and the pop-up bike lanes in Beim Schlump and on Max-Brauer-Alle. Plans for 2021 foresee bike lanes in  Veddel, the Veloroute 10, the reconstruction of Hannoversche Straße in Harburg with a bike lane, and revamping Schlüterstraße in Eimsbüttel. Hamburg's largest Park + Bike parking garage at the Kellinghusenstraße subway station is also due to open in spring. Mobility of the future as well as sustainability will take centre stage at the ITS World Congress 2021, which Hamburg is hosting from October 11 to 15. The city will present around 40 projects including the autonomous HEAT shuttle bus at the world's leading congress for intelligent transport systems and services this year.
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