New paths for new bikes - a joint project to improve the cycling infrastructure in the Lüchow-Dannenberg district
Improving the infrastructure for cycling is of great importance for road safety, the attractiveness of the region and climate protection. This is where the "Joint project: NKI: New paths for new bikes in the district of Lüchow-Dannenberg" comes in. The district's climate protection management, in cooperation with the joint municipalities of Lüchow (Wendland) and Elbtalaue, has raised over € 4 million in funding for this purpose.
The project in detail
Through the funding programme "Climate Protection through Cycling" of the National Climate Initiative (NKI), the Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Protection (BMWK) supports model, investment projects that make cycling more attractive in everyday life, for leisure and for delivery and transport traffic. In order to achieve this, the three network partners are implementing various measures in the period from 1.1.2022 to 31.12.2025.
Project content
In 2023, within this framework Three bicycle lanes set up:
- Between the school campus in Lüchow (Wendland), via the "red barn" to Wustrow (Wendland), one of Lower Saxony's first nonurban cycle lanes is being built on the local connecting road and the road surface is being renewed. The pavement along the road will be maintained.
- Further cycle lanes are planned in Bauernstraße in Hitzacker (Elbe) and the
- Marschtorstraße in Dannenberg (Elbe) will be set up.
The rules for bicycle lanes are defined in the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO), 30 km/h applies for all road users. The use of motor vehicles must be permitted with separate clearance "motor vehicle free", this is planned for Bauernstraße and Marschtorstraße. On the stretch between Lüchow (Wendland) and Wustrow (Wendland), according to current planning, clearance is to be granted only for residents.
In addition, in 2024 two cycle priority routes arise in the district on local roads:
- Between Hitzacker (Elbe) - via Seerau and Pisselberg - and Dannenberg (Elbe)
- From Lüchow (Wendland) via the towns of Reetze, Satemin, Jabel, Schwiepke, Püggen, Zeetze, Klein Sachau and Groß Sachau to Clenze.
Priority cycle routes are similar in approach to cycle lanes. They serve to strengthen everyday cycling. However, cycle superhighways are only established in highly populated regions with at least 2,000 cyclists per working day (e.g. between Lüneburg and Hamburg) and have a special sign in the StVO. Cycle priority routes are particularly suitable for rural areas, as no comparably high utilisation is to be expected here. Mixed traffic applies on local connecting routes, but a speed limit of 50 km/h is generally introduced outside towns, and 30 km/h inside towns.
Other components of the project are
- the purchase and rental of pedelecs and e-bikes for testing in everyday mobility,
- the construction of bicycle boxes,
- the renewal of the bicycle parking facilities at the secondary schools in Lüchow (Wendland) and Hitzacker (Elbe) as well as
- Public Relations.
Project participants
Overview of project participants and funding:
Lüchow-Dannenberg District 67KBR0113A € 862,600
Joint municipality of Lüchow (Wendland) 67KBR0113B € 2,899,746
Elbtalaue joint municipality 67KBR0113C € 602,050
Wustrow-Lüchow cycle route
A cycle route has been set up between Wustrow and Lüchow as part of an initiative to promote a sustainable and inclusive transport policy. The cycle route provides a safe, practical and convenient route for commuters and leisure cyclists. By enabling efficient passage, it helps to relieve congestion on other roads while promoting environmentally friendly transport options.
Cyclists are also allowed to ride side by side and always have priority, but it is important that all road users respect the traffic rules and show consideration for each other to ensure safe and harmonious use of the road.
While only cyclists and pedestrians are permitted to pass through, the cycle route between Wustrow and Lüchow is also open to agricultural and forestry traffic. This means that cyclists using the road should be prepared to encounter vehicles such as agricultural machinery and tractors. Under certain circumstances, however, agricultural traffic may also include cars. These should therefore also be expected. In principle, all road users must adapt their behaviour and speed to that of cyclists. Agricultural traffic must therefore show particular consideration for them and keep sufficient distance. In addition, a general speed limit of 30 km/h applies to all road users. At the same time, cyclists are asked to allow other road users to pass wherever possible, taking general safety into account.
All other motor vehicles are not permitted on the road. This applies both to cars that are not used for agriculture or forestry and to mopeds, which also include S-pedelecs with an assistance of up to 45 km/h. Offences against this are punishable by fines.
The district of Lüchow-Dannenberg invites all road users to use the cycle route with a sense of responsibility and mutual respect. Safety and efficient transport are always at the forefront and are in the interests of all users.
Figure 1: Opening of the Wustrow - Lüchow cycle route
Figure 2: Projection of the establishment of a cycle route between Lüchow and Wustrow by the specialist planning office PGV Alrutz GbR (source PGV Alrutz)
