Last Friday I crashed into an SUV on my way to work - was it my fault? This "benutzungspflichtig / subject to use"-bike…

Frankfurt, Hesse, Germany · High · 21 July 2023

Last Friday I crashed into an SUV on my way to work  -  was it my fault? This "benutzungspflichtig / subject to use"-bike path is characterised by car-centric features like lowered private entrances for cars.  Now imagine cycling with a 3-wheeler on a 1m wide, "bike lane" which is constantly interrupted by uneven, unpredictable (inconsistent) horizontal corrugations in the ground - with no choice to use the street, since the bike lane is obligatory to use. This forces users of 3-wheelers into rebalancing all the time with no wiggle room - and puts them at risk to lose their balance and cause unnecessary damage and injuries. Cycling infrastructure is not consistent or reliable in Frankfurt which scares, excludes and puts at risk not only cargo bike users but also users of adaptive / therapeutic tricycles or wheelchair-(bicycle) users.

• car
• bicycle
• bike lane

AI ideas (AI-generated, non-binding)

• I recommend implementing warning signs and continuous bike paths at Praunheimer Weg in Frankfurt. This will improve safety for cargo bike users, adaptive tricycle users, and wheelchair-bicycle users. The signs will alert drivers, and the continuous bike paths will prevent interruptions and uneven surfaces, reducing the risk of accidents.
• I recommend implementing continuous bike paths with clear warning signs at driveway entrances to prevent accidents and injuries. This solution can be inspired by international examples such as the Netherlands, where bike infrastructure is well-designed and prioritized.
• To improve the bike lane on Praunheimer Weg in Frankfurt, I propose implementing warning signs and continuous bike paths with curbs at private entrances. This will ensure consistent and reliable infrastructure, making it safer for all users, including those with adaptive tricycles or wheelchairs.
• Proposed solution: Install warning signs along the bike lane and create continuous bike paths with curbs at private entrances to prevent accidents and provide a safer environment for all users, including those with 3-wheelers, adaptive/tricycles, and wheelchair-bicycles.
• I recommend implementing warning signs and continuous bike paths with curbs at private entrances to enhance safety for 3-wheelers, therapeutic tricycles, and wheelchair-bicycle users. This will improve consistency and reliability of cycling infrastructure in Frankfurt. Additionally, involving ADFC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Fahrrad-Club) can help raise awareness and advocate for better cycling conditions.
• As the chief city planner, my first step would be to conduct a thorough assessment of the bike lane on Praunheimer Weg in Frankfurt. I would engage with key stakeholders such as local cycling advocacy groups, disability rights organizations, and transportation experts to gather insights and perspectives. Based on their input, I would propose implementing warning signs along the bike lane and exploring the possibility of creating continuous bike paths with cur

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