Radler revolution: New connection between Taunusstein and Wiesbaden?

Radler revolution: New connection between Taunusstein and Wiesbaden?

Taunusstein, Deutschland - A hot topic heats the minds in Taunusstein! The cities of Taunusstein and Wiesbaden, together with the Rheingau-Taunus district, check the possibility of a new cycle path that could offer cyclists a comfortable connection between the two locations. At an information event on Thursday evening, three possible route variants were presented, but they did not remain without controversy. Particularly explosive: One of the variants would cost a lane on the busy federal road 54!

The plans stipulate that the bike path could run on the B54, which is used by around 8,000 cars every day. To make room for the cyclists, a roadway would have to give way. "We have to wait for the feasibility," said Yvonne Grein, regional planner of the Rheingau-Taunus. The forecasts show that around 1260 cyclists between Taunusstein and Wiesbaden could be on the road every day - a number that significantly influences the eligibility of the project.

route variants and their challenges

The first variant that would run directly on the B54 is considered the cheapest because no new bike path would have to be built. But the loss of a lane causes concerns among the citizens. The second variant provides for a new bike path east of the federal road, which is protected by a separation area by car traffic. However, this option entails high costs because the bike path has to be rebuilt.

The third variant leads through the forest and is the longest at 10.3 kilometers. Here the cyclists would have to overcome the greatest gradients, and it remains unclear whether and how the path would have to be illuminated - a topic that also plays a role in the discussion about the protection of animals and insects. The feasibility study should be completed in the second half of the next year, but the citizens are split: While some more space are demanding for cyclists, others warn of the traffic disruptions that could cause a lane to be lost.