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Parents Grow Anxious, Cyclists Face More Attacks (Rising Motorized Aggression) in Schools

Parents in Germany express safety concerns about their children's school journeys, with one out of every five expressing dissatisfaction. These concerns are particularly prevalent among younger parents aged below 40.

Parents express concerns as cyclists faced escalating instances of assault by motorists
Parents express concerns as cyclists faced escalating instances of assault by motorists

Parents Grow Anxious, Cyclists Face More Attacks (Rising Motorized Aggression) in Schools

In many cities, the growing number of cyclists and the lack of dedicated cycling infrastructure have led to an increase in the use of footpaths. This perceived displacement competition has raised concerns about the safety and comfort of both cyclists and pedestrians.

The current road layouts, with four lanes (two for cars and two for parking) on most streets, favour car traffic, accounting for 70% of the road space. However, the condition of the roads and the speed of motor vehicles are not specified, and it's worth noting that e-scooters do not adhere to any traffic rules, adding to the chaos on the roads.

Safety distances to cyclists are not maintained, and the street does not have a StVO-compliant bike path. Traffic signs do not explicitly allow the use of the sidewalk for cyclists, and they explicitly mark the sidewalk as a pedestrian path. These factors contribute to the encroachment of cyclists onto pedestrian spaces, contradicting Regine Eicke's statement that cyclists and pedestrians are in the same boat.

Walter Hasenbrot suggests strong action against "parent taxis" and proposes a legal framework for cities and municipalities to designate zones with increased penalties and higher fines for stopping/parking. Mary-Ellen, on the other hand, suggests making schools inaccessible for private cars as a solution to the problem.

The need for discussions about traffic structures that favour cyclists and pedestrians is evident. A redistribution of traffic space in their favour is necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of all road users. However, in many cities, there are not enough cycling paths in adequate condition to ensure cyclist safety due to factors such as insufficiently wide paths, poor maintenance, sudden endings of paths, and shared space conflicts with pedestrians.

The lack of specialized personnel, expertise, and prepared plans for implementing suitable cycling infrastructure also hinders the effective use of available funding and the timely realization of safe and modern cycling solutions. It is clear that urgent action is required to create a city that is safe and welcoming for all road users, whether they are on two wheels or two feet.

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