Cycling path predicament in Worms: city administration defends resurfacing the Eisbachtal trail
In the picturesque city of Montabaur, a contentious issue has arisen concerning the expansion of the Eisbachtal-Weg for cyclists. The city's mayor, Ulrich Richter-Hopprich, who also heads the Verbandsgemeinde Montabaur, has announced plans for this expansion, which has faced resistance from Horchheimer residents.
The city's statement emphasizes that climate justice is not just about sealing, but about systemic effects. The expansion is expected to reduce car traffic on the streets and the burden of emissions in the city, including gases, particulate matter, and noise. A new study indicates that almost half of all e-bike trips already replace a car trip, and a study on the CO2 balance shows that expanding the Eisbachtalweg would have a positive effect, predicting a CO2 saving of almost 51 tons per year.
One of the key benefits of the paved route is its improved accessibility for seniors with rollators and wheelchairs, who currently face difficult conditions using the path. Paving would also make the route more cost-effective in the long run as the muddy portion either needs to be removed and/or regularly filled in by hand and small vehicles.
However, criticism has been voiced, with concerns about the path violating the heat action plan and heating up too much in summer. The city administration argues that the Eisbachtalweg, which is mostly in the shade, is unlikely to experience strong heating.
Ariane Jeschek, a former Green party member on the Horchheim local council, is one of the spokespeople for the citizens' initiative against the cycle path. The residents argue that paving the path would turn a climate oasis into an e-bike racing track.
In response, the city administration claims that the expansion of the Eisbachtalweg is necessary to make it usable by cyclists all year round. They also plan to carry out "compensation and replacement measures" by upgrading and "targeted" planting other areas to increase their ecological value.
Timo Horst, the city development department head (SPD), had previously expressed regret over bureaucracy delaying the start of construction for the Eisbachtalweg expansion. The city council decided on the expansion of the path in 2020.
Reducing car traffic in favor of cycling is considered an essential goal for climate protection by the city administration. They anticipate that the expansion of the Eisbachtalweg would increase cycling traffic between Wiesoppenheim, Horchheim, Weinsheim, and the city center by a factor of 330.
No trees will be felled for the expansion of the Eisbachtalweg; solutions will be found for each individual tree in the construction area. The city administration remains committed to the expansion, having decided in favor of it due to numerous reasons, as concluded in the statement.
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