Hamburg launches the first 'Protected Bike Lane'

Enhancing the security of all bike riders

Hamburg is launching the city's first "Protected Bike Lane." It is a 2.6-metre-wide cycle path that is isolated from vehicle traffic by islands. The 550-meter-long protected bike lane greatly improves the safety of all road users in the city centre, where bicycle traffic is already heavy.

The Protected Bike Lane will be expanded by 220 metres in a second construction phase at the end of 2021. The Protected Bike Lane is also meant to act as a model for similar projects in Hamburg. This year, additional safe bike lanes will be built in the city centre and more projects are in the works.

Protecting cyclists from heavy traffic

The road should be modernised as part of a basic repair, which will also include the modernisation of the drainage system and the development of the Protected Bike Lane. For cyclists, this means a 2.60-metre wide lane (2.10-metre driving area and 0.5-metre structural barrier), which also allows for safe overtaking, smooth asphalt that allows for comfortable driving, and structural dividing islands that guarantee the safety standard along the main road by enabling a clear separation from motor vehicle traffic and preventing incorrect parking.

Anjes Tjarks, Senator for Transport and Mobility Transition: “With the city's first Protected Bike Lane, we are sending a clear signal on the way to becoming a cycling city: In Hamburg, we are building cycle paths that people want and on which they - regardless of age, speed or destination - are safe and feel safe. With the structural separation from motor vehicle traffic, we significantly increase the safety and well-being of all road users. More safety and comfort on the bike paths are motivating more and more people to get on their bikes.”

However, the bicycle show is more than just a look back in time. The drivable installation is also a sign of Hamburg's future as a bike-friendly community, with the goal of achieving 25 to 30 percent of all trips in Hamburg by 2030.