Anika Meenken vs. Michael Haberland- Pros and cons of right of way for cyclists
Cycling is booming: Because of the risk of infection on buses and trains from Corona, many people have switched to bicycles. The traffic planners have reacted in many places - and in some cases have given preference to cycling for a limited time. A model for the future?
Bicycle traffic has increased significantly in the past few months: instead of squeezing into full buses and subways, many people prefer to use the bicycle. As a result, additional, temporary cycle paths were spontaneously built in many cities: Individual car lanes were converted into so-called pop-up cycle paths. New fodder for the long-smoldering dispute about the redistribution of roads and paths. Should more space be given to cycling in the future?
Pro: Anika Meenken, Verkehrsclub Deutschland eV (VCD), spokesperson for cycling and mobility education
“We now need the right of way for bicycles. In the last few decades, only the car had the right of way, the bicycle really has some catching up to do. Because the so-called 'car-friendly city' is an unjust city, unjust for everyone else. However, we are not concerned with bans, but with real alternatives - so that everyone can live well and safely without a car. What speaks in favor of the bicycle is that it is a fair means of transport: anyone can afford it, anyone can ride it - you don't need a driver's license. It also does not cause any emissions - i.e. CO2, nitrogen oxides or noise. It takes up little space in the city - and it's healthy too. "
Cons: Dr. Michael Haberland, President Mobil in Deutschland eV
“In the cities in particular, practically nothing has been done for drivers in recent years. You pay the most for the traffic - but you get less and less for it. The result is congested cities, a lot of traffic jams, anger, aggression. Against each other and no longer with each other. And I think we absolutely have to break this knot. But applied to the priority of the modes of transport. So: what modes of transport do people use? And that is still mainly the car. In terms of passenger kilometers, for example, the car is way ahead in Munich. Only then do buses and trains arrive - and then, at a considerable distance, the bicycle. "
