Germany's bicycle autobahn: pedaling nowhere?

Deutsche Welle ^ | 04/01/2016 | Irene Banos Ruiz

[Olog-hai]

Construction on a bike highway — hoped to connect communities to make high-speed, emissions-free commuting possible — is underway in Germany. But with funding in question, will this bikers’ dream still come true? […]

The cost-benefit relation presented by the RVR is optimistic: Benefits equal nearly five times more than costs. Figures indicate the bike autobahn would save €11.5 million yearly on medical expenses due to the health benefits of greater physical activity and reduced pollution, while it would also save €6.3 million through prevented accidents.

But money is lacking to complete the project, estimated at €184 million.

For the first 11 kilometers, the project received €2.8 million in support from the European Union. But the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and cities involved in the project must take on costs of the remaining 90 kilometers on their own.

Whether the project will be completed is still under discussion. …

[dljordan]

Sounds like a great place for lonely refugees to meet girls.

[Blue Jays]

For decent bicycle commuting it has to be more than a glorified sidewalk, though.
A cyclist zipping along at 15 mph - 18 mph cannot be mixed with walkers, dogs on extendable leashes, kids, and other hazards.
Drivers benefit because that is one less car on the road creating traffic delays.
I have a friend who commutes a total of 28 miles daily via bicycle for 80% of the week. He drives one day to resupply his locker with clothes and toiletries for the next week.
It is a pretty successful model in his situation.

[dfwgator]

Wir Radfahren Radfahren Radfahren auf der Autobahn....

[Disambiguator]

Wir Radfahren Radfahren Radfahren auf der Autobahn....

Time for Kraftwerk to do an update. Too bad they disbanded.

[AU72]

Tip for riding the bicycle autobahn: Don’t linger in the high speed lane.

[dfwgator]

Actually they are still touring, but Florian left a few years.

[Disambiguator]

Without Florian, it’s just not the same thing. :^)

[dfwgator]

I really liked their earlier stuff where Florian would play the flute.

[bigbob]

Sounds like it. I would have needed a showever, or lots of extra-strength toiletries ;-)

[Disambiguator]

Figures indicate the bike autobahn would save €11.5 million yearly on medical expenses due to the health benefits of greater physical activity and reduced pollution, while it would also save €6.3 million through prevented accidents.

I think the medical savings estimate is high, but the accident estimate is probably closer to reality. It will probably still be a net expense, as cyclists don't pay road taxes at the pump. Maybe they could sell a EurBikePass allowing unlimited access and have some kind of tollgate system.

[Mercat]

Mr. Mercat and I are thinking of camping through Europe from England to Switzerland and on to Austria. Safe? Thoughts?

[Blue Jays]

Cyclists typically do not just ride bicycles.
They pay taxes when they fuel their cars, like anyone else.

[TNoldman]

Great way to get Muslims in everyone backyard.

[snarkpup]

Most car vs. bike accidents are the fault of the cyclist. This is why one of the most dangerous places to ride a bike (or be a pedestrian) is around other cyclists.

[Blue Jays]

Incorrect. Cyclists have a vested interest in not getting into painful crashes with automobiles.
Common accidents are left-turning cars, opening car doors without looking, and inadvertent car target-fixation on cyclists going in same direction.

[Blue Jays]

BigBob...yeah, he has a sweet arrangement at his workplace, for sure.
Indoor parking, enormous oversize lockers, onsite drycleaning service, and a place to shower and change that is better than many health clubs.
Since he is pedaling 28 x 4 = 112 miles per week...he is staying plenty fit even if he does nothing else.
The big campus facilities for my company has the same arrangement. Plush parking and world-class locker rooms so people can prep for work there.

[alternatives?]

I wonder the expected number of physical injuries (and the medical costs) that occur in riding a bike 2,000 miles versus riding a car 2,000 miles baring any collisions for both.

[Blue Jays]

As a person who pedals 9000+ miles annually depending on weather, I have very thankfully been without injury for decades. Knock on wood.
It would be interesting to learn the per/mile injury statistics barring collisions.
Likely more scrapes/contusions for cyclists and greater number of cardiac concerns for motorists.
Actuarial tables likely exist for that kind of overall data.

[oldplayer]

9000? That is impressive. I’m only about 3000/year on my ‘94 Merckx. But, I don’t commute anymore. Keep it up.