Internal Market Evaluation Finds Measure to be Consistent

The Leipzig CDU faction thinks it can win favor with its constituents by taking a stand against bike lanes on the Promenade Ring.

, and Administrator

2025 September 16 . 3:53 AM

2 min read

The Commission finds the action consistent with the domestic market.

Internal Market Evaluation Finds Measure to be Consistent

In the vibrant city of Leipzig, a debate over bike infrastructure has been unfolding, centring around the Promenadenring. The current guidance of bicycle traffic in the side area between Gewandhaus and Schillerstraße has been highlighted as not complying with the technical regulations for the installation of foot and bike paths.

The CDU faction in Leipzig has advocated for the removal of a bike lane on the Promenadenring, a proposal that the Mobility and Infrastructure Department (MTA) has rejected. The MTA's stance is grounded in their legal obligation to ensure safety and order in public traffic, a priority they share in planning bike infrastructure.

The MTA's rejection of the proposal is not surprising given the context of the Promenadenring as a cycling priority route. Since 2020, the Promenadenring has been designated as an "IR II-route," a function that gives it priority for cycling. A study of the goals and needs for cycling has already been conducted, underscoring the importance of cycling infrastructure in the city.

The MTA's approach to bike infrastructure planning involves a meticulous process, often involving years of testing. They are committed to arranging continuous bike lanes on the road while maintaining the overall capacity of the traffic facility. Currently, there are no specific plans for further bike traffic guidance along the inner side of the Promenadenring between Universitätsstraße and Schillerstraße.

The CDU faction's proposal regarding the removal of a bike lane has no basis in the actual occupancy of the ring section. The total traffic volume at Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz, a significant point along the Promenadenring, was 40,000 motor vehicles per day 20 years ago. Since the closure of the ring road, the traffic volume has consistently been lower. The current occupancy on the northern lane at Wilhelm-Leuschner-Platz (westbound only) is approximately 12,500 motor vehicles per day, which falls within the capacity range of a single lane.

The MTA conducts investigations to determine optimal lane distributions and traffic guidance for traffic flow, including considering the capacity of traffic light systems. A cycling path more than 5 meters away from the road is considered independent traffic guidance and cannot be attributed to the main traffic street.

It's worth noting that the city council does not have jurisdiction over the planning and construction of bike infrastructure. The MTA takes a significant amount of time before installing new bike lanes, a decision-making process that aims to balance the needs of all road users, ensuring the safety of all.

In 2018, the Saxony Higher Administrative Court declared a ban on cycling on certain sections of the ring, including between the Augustusplatz and the New Town Hall, invalid. The MTA's stance on the planning of bike infrastructure on the roadway remains open, reflecting their commitment to finding the most effective and safe solutions for cycling in Leipzig.