Berensberg cycle priority route

Status: Dec. 2024

The Berensberg priority cycle route connects the Herzogenrath district of Berensberg, which lies directly on the northern city boundary, with Aachen city center over a distance of 4.0 km. In its continuation to the north, there is the possibility of connecting Herzogenrath-Kohlscheid (approx. 20,000 inhabitants) over a further 4.0 km.

The RVR Berensberg leads via Soerser Weg, Krefelder Straße, Sandkaulstraße and Alexanderstraße to Seilgraben. On the route into the city between Wurm and Krefelder Straße, there are 56 meters of elevation to overcome. Out of town, there are around 30 m from Grabenring to Soerser Weg and around 50 meters of elevation gain between Wurm and Berensberg.

There are only three intersections with traffic lights on the RVR Berensberg. At 15 km/h, the route can be completed in 16 minutes.

From Berensberg, the route follows a shared footpath and cycle path along Soerser Weg downhill over the A4 freeway bridge to the lowest point at Wurm (km 1.1). In 2018, the footpath and cycle path between Berensberg and Sonnenweg was widened to 2.5 m, resurfaced and is in very good condition.

The route continues along the Soerser Weg past the Soers meadows and the Soers sports park along comfortably wide sidewalks that are open to cyclists until the start of the development at Soerser Winkel (km 2.2). From there, the route continues in a 30 km/h zone to Krefelder Straße (km 3.2). This section towards the city is characterized by alternating parking on a cycle path that is no longer required to be used. On the out-of-town side, the sidewalk was renewed in 2024 after a line measure by Regionetz. A measure by Regionetz is also pending on the inbound side. It must be clarified in 2025 whether a modified division of the road space can be implemented in this context.

The following 300 m section on Krefelder Straße up to the Bastei junction (km 3.5) is the only section on a main road and will have a wide, red-marked cycle path in the direction of the city center in 2023. The subsequent Bastei junction will be the first junction in Aachen to be converted with structurally separated cycle paths in accordance with the objectives of Radentscheid Aachen. The conversion had to be postponed until the full closure of the A544 is lifted again. This should be the case in September 2025.

The last section leads downhill via the 30 km/h roads Sandkaulstraße and Alexanderstraße to Grabenring. The creation of a cycle lane is being considered here. Here, too, the road space will be upgraded for cyclists after pipeline construction work is carried out by Regionetz in 2025.

Political consulting

The following resolutions, among others, have been passed on the project:

04.07.2018: The Aachen-Laurensberg district council approves the course of the Berensberg priority cycle route.

31.10.2018: The Aachen-Mitte district council approves the course of the Berensberg priority cycle route.

12.09.2019: The Mobility Committee adopts the bicycle priority network.

31.10.2019: The Mobility Committee adopts the resolution on the design standards to clarify the course of priority cycle routes.

06.11.2019: The city council adopts the cycling decision and thus, among other things, the goal of implementing at least 10 km of main cycle routes every year.

01.07.2021: The Mobility Committee decides that the Bastei junction should be converted in accordance with the targets from the cycling decision. (Planning decision)