December 29, 2022 - (Cologne, GER) The Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV) is funding 91 projects nationwide with a total of around 48.8 million euros to improve the nationally important long-distance cycle paths of the German cycle network. Municipalities use the funding to improve the cycle routes in the German cycle network, which are heavily used by tourists. The Radnetz Deutschland office set up by the Federal Office for Goods Transport implements the funding programme.
Federal Transport Minister Dr. Volker Wissing: Cycling is not only booming in everyday life, more and more people pedal on vacation or travel by bike. From north to south, from east to west: the routes of the German cycle network connect our country. We must ensure that this cycling infrastructure is modernized and further expanded. We support the federal states and municipalities with our funding program. The large number of applications shows us that there is a need. That is why we will continue the program next year. This benefits the citizens directly, because a safe and well-developed cycling infrastructure is an offer to people for more climate-friendly mobility.
Right of way with the bike on a well-developed bike path in Breisach am Rhein on the D-Route 8, the Rhine bike path from Switzerland to the North Sea, or a cozy picnic at the new bike rest area in Görlitz to freshly strengthened the D-Route 12, the Oder-Neisse cycle path, along the Oder and Neisse rivers. These and many other improvements will soon be implemented and experienced on the routes of the German cycle network.
With the funding program “Expansion and Extension of the German Cycle Network”, the BMDV financially supports the qualitative improvement and attractiveness of the 12 D-Routes as well as the German Unity Cycle Path and the Iron Curtain Trail. These cycle routes form the linkage of the German cycle network. The aim is to further develop the German cycle network into a transnational, safe, seamless and attractive network of nationally significant long-distance cycle paths. In order to achieve this goal, the BMDV set up the Radnetz Deutschland office at the Federal Office for Goods Transport. In addition to the funding program, the office is working on a marketing strategy for the German cycle network and coordinates cooperation with the federal states to set up the digital cycle network in Germany.
During the application phase last year, more than 220 applicants applied to the Federal Office for Goods Transport for grants. In order to meet this great demand, the BMDV will continue the 2023 funding program. Funding of up to around 32 million euros is available for the years 2024 to 2028.
Information on the funding program and on the subject of cycling can be found under the keyword “Förderprogramm” on the website of the Federal Office for Goods Transport at www.bag.bund.de. Information on the new funding round will be published there in the coming year.
Original release in German here.
