10,000 cyclists block traffic on the German Autobahn and we kinda love it

In an awesome display of cycling advocacy more than 10,000 cyclists, and other mobility and road safety activists, took over a stretch of Germany’s autobahn to demand better cycling infrastructure and public transit.

According to the group behind the rally, Verkehrswende Hessen, the plan was to travel 40 kilometres from Frankfurt to Wiesbaden on the A66 to deliver the tens of thousands of signatures collected for a referendum to Tarek Al-Wazir — the minister of transport for the German state of Hesse.

The group wants to increase the proportion of environmentally friendly modes of transportation, namely walking, cycling, and public transit, to at least 65 per cent of all passenger transportation.

By comparison, about half of Copenhagen’s trips are made by bicycles alone.

Verkehrswende Hessen is intent on advancing its environmentally friendly transportation plan through a new law called the Hesse Traffic Turnaround Act.

The Act explains the group’s ambition for a transportation turnaround in Hesse, and includes a number of key ideas including the following:

• more cycle paths  and a  cycle path network throughout Hesse

• wider sidewalks  and streets that can  be safely crossed on foot 

• A  comprehensive route network,  shorter travel times  and  higher frequency  for  public transport

• higher road safety, especially on  the way to school

• more and better alternatives to car traffic in rural areas

• A better linking of information, concepts, planning and construction for the development of sustainable mobility.

According to Verkehrswende Hessen, around 12,000 cyclists took part in the rally at one point or another with 8,500 cyclists arriving in Wiesbaden joining the 3,500 people who were already at the Verkehrswende Festival.

A statement on the website (translated from German) reads “The handing over of the signatures ends the first part of the three-stage procedure for reaching the referendum. A broad alliance of associations had been preparing the associated legal text since 2019. The alliance is now eagerly awaiting the state government’s counting and assessment before proceeding with the second step of the referendum, collecting around 200,000 supporters’ signatures in the town halls.”

Germany seems to be making serious cycling moves as of late, not the least of which is a proposal for the world’s largest urban car-free area that is developing in Berlin. In addition, three German cities landed in the top 10 in a new ranking of the most bicycle-friendly cities on the planet. The city of Munster landed in second place ahead of perennial favourites Amsterdam and Copenhagen.

All photos courtesy of Verkehrswende Hessen.