09/2024: Second pilot project "PBL" (flex post)

On Heinrichsallee and Monheimsallee between Maxstraße and Rolandstraße, work was completed in September 2024 on a further cycle lane that is structurally separated from the carriageway. Over a total length of 800 m, cycle traffic is now structurally separated from motor vehicle traffic on a cycle lane 1.50 m-2.30 m wide.

The structural separation is a pilot project for Aachen using flexible posts. In addition to objective safety, their physical separating effect takes account of the subjective feeling of safety of cyclists.

In the run-up to the project, the administration held intensive discussions with various local authorities and manufacturers regarding the separating element.

Flexible posts for structural separation are characterized above all by the fact that they

• do not form a linear barrier to rainwater runoff, so that leaves and road debris can be washed naturally into the drains,
• also have a good visual barrier effect to separate motorized and bicycle traffic due to their height. Due to the planned linear distance of 2.50 m, they also prevent motor vehicles from parking/stopping on the cycle path,
• also prevent stopping/parking on the adjacent sidewalk,
• react flexibly to collisions due to their buckling function and thus have a separating but not damaging effect,
• can be replaced with little effort in the event of defects due to the screw connection in the road surface and
• in the proposed anthracite-colored version also integrate well into the urban design and are easily recognizable even in the dark thanks to their reflective banderoles at the top and the glass beads in the base area.

Parts of the cycle traffic facility were equipped with flexible posts on both sides to protect waste disposal workers and cyclists, so that vehicles are prevented from driving past or over the cycle traffic facility.

In the planned design, the posts do not hinder the operation of the disposal company.

The entire length of the cycling facility was colored red in accordance with objective 3 of the cycling decision.

As the new posts along the cycle path also effectively prevent motor vehicles from stopping on the sidewalk in contravention of the rules, the cast-iron posts that previously performed this function on the sidewalk have been removed. As a result, the full width of the sidewalk is now once again available to pedestrians.

The measure as a whole takes account of both the objective and subjective need for greater road safety.