Find out about the current status of planning for the cycle highway and get in touch with us.

Wednesday, April 30, 2025

Information stand from 3 pm
Branderweg corner Sebastianstraße
91058 Erlangen

Lecture from 6 pm
Protestant parish hall, Sebastianstraße 2
91058 Erlangen

Two high-speed cycle connections are currently being planned:

• Erlangen - Nuremberg
• Erlangen - Herzogenaurach

Both projects are in the preliminary planning stage. This means that the basic route is being determined and the respective expansion form along the route is being planned.

The city of Fürth is conducting a comparative study with the participation of the city of Erlangen, which is examining various options for the Erlangen - Fürth route.

The Bamberg-Nuremberg metropolitan cycle path is currently being planned. It runs along the west side of the Main-Danube Canal in Erlangen and via the environmental lane on the road "Am Europakanal".

A cost-benefit analysis was carried out together with the city of Nuremberg. This confirms that the route has a very good cost-benefit ratio of 4.8, meaning that every euro invested pays for itself almost fivefold.

Following a comprehensive evaluation of various partial variants, a preferred variant was identified. This was presented to the South District Advisory Council and the Tennenlohe Local Advisory Council at the end of 2024, as the route of the high-speed cycle link runs through these two urban areas. The suggestions from the events will be examined and integrated into further planning where possible.

Challenges of the high-speed cycle link:

• the partially parallel routing of the Stadt-Umland-Bahn (StUB)
• the crossing of the Südkreuzung intersection with a lot of motor vehicle traffic.

The plan is to cross the southern intersection via a bridge or underpass to ensure conflict-free and speedy routing of cycle traffic. Once the preliminary planning has been completed, the next step will be the design planning, in which the details of implementation will be determined. The following map shows the provisional route of the Erlangen-Nuremberg high-speed cycle link:

Together with the city of Herzogenaurach, a cost-benefit analysis was commissioned in preparation for an application for funding. This confirms that the route has a positive cost-benefit ratio of 1.32. This means that the overall economic benefit is significantly higher than the investment costs.

Following the evaluation of various partial variants, a preferred variant was developed in the preliminary planning phase. This is expected to be presented to the Anger/Bruck district advisory council and the Frauenaurach and Kriegenbrunn local councils from March 2025, as the route of the high-speed cycle link runs through these districts. The suggestions from the events will be examined and integrated into the planning where possible.

Special challenges in the city of Erlangen:

• Crossing the Wiesengrund
• Crossing the Main-Danube Canal between Bruck and Frauenaurach

In order to guarantee an attractive, conflict-free and flood-free route, it is currently planned to design the crossings using bridges. Once the preliminary planning has been completed, the design planning will follow, in which the detailed design of the route will be worked out. The following map shows the provisional route of the Erlangen-Herzogenaurach high-speed cycle link:

Cycle highways are particularly wide and comfortable cycle paths that make cycling more convenient and safer. They offer priority at junctions and traffic lights to enable a speedy and uninterrupted journey - ideal for longer distances.

Their aim is to relieve motorized commuter traffic, reduce congestion and make an important contribution to sustainable mobility. Thanks to their efficient use of space, they promote an environmentally friendly transport transition.

Features of cycle highways:

• Width: At least 3 meters for one-way traffic, 4 meters for bidirectional traffic
• Length: Usually around 10 kilometers
• Usage: Designed for at least 2,000 cyclists per day
• Riding comfort: Smooth surface, as few gradients as possible
• Safety: Where possible, with lighting and priority winter maintenance

These modern cycle paths offer an attractive alternative for commuters and anyone who wants to get around quickly and safely by bike.

The "fast" in fast cycle connections refers primarily to junctions and traffic lights. Cycle traffic should be given priority here in order to avoid long waiting times. This can also be ensured by bridges or tunnels. This enables cyclists to reach their destination more quickly, as they hardly have to stop.

Fast cycle connections can be designed in three different ways:

• Cycle paths: either as a single direction cycle path (one separate path per direction) or as a bidirectional cycle path
• Cycle lanes: Roads on which bicycle traffic has priority and motorized traffic is only permitted to a limited extent
• Cycle lanes: Marked lanes on the roadway reserved exclusively for bicycle traffic.

In exceptional cases, particularly outside built-up areas, shared use with pedestrians may be provided. Care is always taken to ensure a safe and comfortable design.

Yes, the route north of the central cemetery (between Äußerer Brucker Straße and Michael-Vogel-Straße) has already been developed as a two-way cycle path to Cycle Superhighway standard. The cycle route axis Pommernstraße/Bayernstraße also has a cycle highway standard for the most part. The following photo shows the path north of the central cemetery:

In addition to the information on the website, the current status is presented at public meetings. This takes place in the course of the district advisory council and local advisory council meetings or in the form of route inspections. Current dates can be found above.

Fast cycle connections are also known as fast cycle routes (RSW). In short, RSVs are the "imperial class for cyclists", with the highest standards of speed and comfort.

They are characterized by the following features

• high cycling density
• Longer distances (approx. 5-20 km and more)
• Direct routes with minimal detours
• Preference at junctions to reduce waiting times
• High riding comfort due to wide paths and good surface quality
• Possibility of safe overtaking
• In Erlangen: two RSVs, with 75% funding(VV Radschnellwege 2017-2030)

Cycle priority routes are also comfortable and fast cycle paths, in short the "premier class for cyclists", with good but not maximum quality, which are created where the high standard of a high-speed cycle connection is not required or cannot be implemented. Nevertheless, they should:

• Where the RSV standard is not necessary or not feasible
• Fast and comfortable riding, but not at RSV level
• No fixed standard for width, length or traffic volume
• Preference for bicycle traffic, but not always with a dedicated lane
• Fewer funding opportunities than RSV
• Bamberg-Nuremberg metropolitan cycle path, 90% federal and state funding.

Many journeys by bike are between 5-20 km. With a well-developed infrastructure, cycling becomes even more attractive - as a real alternative to the car. Shorter journey times, convenient routes and fewer stops make cycling a fast, climate-friendly and healthy mobility solution.