With 1,000 bikes for faster RS1: bicycle star trip in Dortmund

With 1,000 bikes for faster RS1: bicycle star trip in Dortmund

In the North Rhine-Westphalian city of Dortmund, an important bicycle star trip will take place on Saturday, August 10, 2024, which not only celebrates the fun of cycling together, but also indicates the urgent problems in building the Ruhr bike fast path as RS1. Under the motto "RS1 - delayed, planned, blocked?" Expect the organizers more than 1,000 cyclists: inside from all over the region, which are active to improve the bicycle infrastructure.

the traffic miracle with signal effect

The star trip aims not only to draw attention to the insufficient implementation of the RS1, but also to make it clear how important a well -developed network of cycle paths for the quality of life of the city and the mobility of its citizens: inside. With the increasing urbanization, the need for safe and effective bicycle traffic infrastructures is growing, which are intended to make it easier to switch from the car to the bike. The city of Dortmund has recognized the importance of the campaign and welcomes the public interest in the topic.

a sign of politics

The approximately 20 km route begins at 1 p.m. at the Petrikirche and leads over the Wallring and the B1 to the TremoniaPark. There the event is completed with a DJ picnic, which puts the community aspect in the foreground. The organizers of Velocity Ruh and Departure Bicycle Dortmund, represented by Felix Festa and Axel Rickel, hope not only positive experiences for the participants: inside, but also a reaction from politics.
Felix Festa emphasizes that participation in the event is not only a sign of solidarity, but also conveys a political message: "Politicians cannot ignore this."

The challenges in building the RS1

Despite the first completed section of the cycle path on Sonnenstrasse, which was completed at the end of 2021, the last construction phase is still a long way off. It is currently predicted that the complete implementation could take until 2030 at the earliest. Axel Rickel is concerned about the political standstill and sees the need for faster planning processes. The RS1, which is to run over 100 kilometers through the Ruhr area, has been struggling with delays for over a decade, with only 800 meters of the planned 24 kilometers being realized in Dortmund.

A call to improve bicycle infrastructure

In addition to the completion of the cycle path, the two initiators call for a more comprehensive improvement in the bicycle infrastructure in Dortmund. "We want to present cycling as a matter of course," explains Rickel. This includes not only the RS1, but also the development of a second cycle path to motivate even more people to cycle - both in leisure time and in professional life.

sustainable mobility for the future

The bicycle star trip is said to set a clear sign that cyclists: inside in cities like Dortmund are not uncommon. "When we create infrastructure, people will use the wheel on their own," emphasizes Festa. In order to strengthen this credible picture, an adapted traffic light circuit and a structural separation of streets and bike paths are essential. The initiators hope that this and other steps will be created by normal, where bicycle traffic exists in addition to car traffic and the citizens: inside can safely cover their free time and path to work.

The bicycle star trip in Dortmund is therefore not only a happy Rade event, but also a comprehensive appeal to politics and society to pave the way for sustainable and safe mobility.