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New StVO in effect: ADFC hopes for more leeway for municipalities in traffic transition

Finally, the new Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) come into effect, which are intended to give municipalities more leeway in terms of traffic transformation. The General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) welcomes the new framework but also urges its consistent use, for example in matters of speed limit 30, bicycle streets, or parking spaces. Reasons now also include climate protection, health, and urban development.

More space for bicycles is hoped for by the ADFC from the StVO amendment, for example, through the establishment of modal filters. | Photo: ADFC/Wallat
More space for bicycles is hoped for by the ADFC from the StVO amendment, for example, through the establishment of modal filters. | Photo: ADFC/Wallat
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Johannes Reichel

The revised Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) have come into force. They make it easier for municipalities to promote cycling. The ADFC appeals to the administrations to consistently use the new possibilities. With the publication of the new StVO in the Federal Law Gazette, it is now valid law. The innovations make many things easier for cycling, as there are new leeways for the creation of cycle lanes, bicycle streets, bicycle parking spaces and speed limits of 30 km/h.

"The new Road Traffic Regulations are finally coming into force, which is a good moment for cycling in Germany. The times when accidents had to happen first before a cycle path could be set up are over. Municipalities can now do more for cycling more easily than ever before," explained ADFC Federal Managing Director Caroline Lodemann.

Municipalities can now also cite environmental or climate protection, health, or urban development as reasons for the establishment of cycle lanes, bicycle streets, bicycle parking spaces, and a speed limit of 30 km/h. Thus, many new projects can be tackled or existing plans implemented that have so far failed due to narrow legal requirements.

"If the municipalities and authorities now pick up the pace and boldly and decisively use the new leeways for establishing cycle lanes, bicycle parking spaces, bicycle streets, and speed limits of 30 km/h, we are taking a decisive step closer to making Germany a cycling nation. Therefore, we call on all those responsible in politics and administration: Put your foot on the pedal," appealed Lodemann.

Administrative regulation will also be updated

More specific guidelines for the application of the new possibilities will be contained in the General Administrative Regulation for the StVO (VwV-StVO), which the Federal Ministry of Transport still has to publish. Many authorities are waiting for this practical guide before they start implementing new plans. However, this is not legally necessary, and preparations for specific measures can already be made. Therefore, the ADFC urges the administrations not to wait for the VwV-StVO, but to start immediately so as not to lose time. The amendment to the StVO follows the new Road Traffic Law (StVG), which, as the overarching law, provided the basis for more bicycle-friendly regulations to be included in the StVO.
 

The following examples show how municipalities and authorities can already do more for bicycle traffic:

Bicycle Lanes:

The amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) makes it easier for authorities and communities to establish bicycle lanes as part of a bicycle network and to implement structural measures to prevent cars from driving or parking on them. Previously, this was only possible if demonstrable "special circumstances" made it "absolutely necessary." This often hindered the planning of good and safe bicycle lanes – and could even lead to already built bicycle lanes being removed.

Bicycle Streets:

Bicycle streets and zones can now be more easily protected against unauthorized through traffic with the new StVO, for example, by bollards ("modal filters") that keep motor vehicle through traffic out, while bicycles can pass through unhindered. This provides and secures – as intended by the new StVO – "areas for bicycle traffic."

Bicycle Parking:

There are also new opportunities for "stationary bicycle traffic" with the StVO amendment: car parking spaces can be more easily converted into bicycle parking spaces – for example, this can prevent parked cargo bikes from blocking narrow sidewalks. Whether it is appropriate for individual motor vehicle parking spaces to make way for this will be decided on a case-by-case basis.

Speed Limit 30:

On main roads, the rule remains that a speed limit of 30 km/h can only be imposed at "specific danger spots." However, gaps between individual 30 km/h sections can now be closed over a length of 500 meters, previously it was only 300 meters. The speed limit of 30 km/h can now also be more easily imposed in the vicinity of zebra crossings, playgrounds, and heavily used school routes. 

Translated automatically from German.
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