Münster, 29 January 2024 – The Volt council group continues to campaign for Thierstraße in Hiltrup to be designated a genuine cycle street. According to Martin Grewer, transport policy spokesperson for the Volt council group, the surrounding roads – in particular Kappenberger Damm and Westfalenstraße – are sufficient to cope with motor traffic between Hiltrup and Münster city centre. In Volt's view, an additional tangential route for private motor traffic is not necessary.
A fast cycle route instead of new roads
Thierstraße is an important part of the network of fast cycle routes (Velorouten). To fulfil this role as a fast cycle route, certain requirements must be met. These include cyclists being able to ride side by side, overtaking being possible safely, and different speeds being taken into account, especially those of e-bikes and cargo bikes.
Thanks to its current cross-section, Thierstraße is ideally suited to these requirements. Building additional cycle paths, by contrast, would involve high costs and further sealing of agricultural land – an approach that Volt clearly rejects.
A modal filter for safety and mobility
Volt supports installing a modal filter at the level of the brickworks. This keeps the brickworks well connected, while through traffic by car on Thierstraße is prevented. The result is a safe and efficient fast cycle route that truly deserves the name.
No unnecessary spending on motor traffic
Ultimately, the debate over a cycle street versus cycle paths is a question of principle: is it about providing more road space for cars, or are we creating space for sustainable mobility and agriculture? Volt stresses that, given tight finances, providing additional road space for motor vehicles on Thierstraße is not justified. Instead, the funds should go into expanding cycling infrastructure, in order to strengthen regional cycle traffic and drive forward a climate-friendly mobility transition.
