Dangerous cycle paths in Bamberg: Appeal for more safety in traffic!

Dangerous cycle paths in Bamberg: Appeal for more safety in traffic!

In Bamberg, a city of almost 79,000 residents known for its magnificent medieval streets and UNESCO World Heritage Site, there is currently a lack of consideration on the roads, especially when dealing with cyclists. Oliver Elsner, who has been working as head of the controlling/reporting department at the University of Bamberg since September 2023 and commutes from north of Kronach to Bamberg several times a week, regularly experiences dangerous situations while cycling through the city center. On August 13, 2025, he had to endure a frightening moment at the corner of Luitpoldstrasse and Mittelstrasse when a driver put him in a threatening situation.

“You should keep a distance of at least 1.5 meters when overtaking,” complains Elsner. In his case, the driver ignored this rule and only responded to Elsner's tip with a flippant comment. In Germany, such a violation of traffic regulations can be punished with a fine of 30 euros. After a serious accident in which a cyclist was thrown several meters away on July 26, 2024, concerns about the safety of cyclists in Bamberg are even more acute. The ADFC's 2024 bicycle climate test only gave the city a school grade of 3.98 - definitely room for improvement.

Investigations and improvements

The city of Bamberg and the district conducted a citizen survey on mobility needs in July 2024. The first results are expected in the fourth quarter of 2025. Elsner hopes for positive changes and sees in particular the need to introduce more 30 zones in narrow areas and to monitor them consistently. In his argument he points to the positive development in Helsinki, where there have been no traffic fatalities since July 2024.

Additionally, Elsner observes that the number of cyclists killed in Upper Franconia rose to 13 in 2024, representing an alarming increase of 550 percent compared to 2023. So it's high time to act. The city of Bamberg has already taken some measures to improve cyclist safety, such as the introduction of more green arrows and protective lanes.

Bamberg and its history

Bamberg, located on the Regnitz River, has a long history dating back to the 9th century. The city was also formerly a center of the Holy Roman Empire and played an important role in the history of Bavaria. The city's economy is one of the strongest in the region and is largely shaped by sectors such as the automotive supply industry, electrical engineering and the food industry. In 2021, the gross domestic product was 5.1 billion euros, which corresponds to a per capita of around 66,543 euros.

Another important factor for the city is tourism. In 2023, Bamberg recorded a significant turnover of around 330 million euros with 807,294 overnight stays. The main attractions include the Bamberg Cathedral, the Old Court and the New Residence. These cultural treasures must also be safely accessible for future generations, which is why protecting cyclists in the city should be a top priority.

In summary, the traffic situation in Bamberg is an important issue for both cyclists and drivers that cannot be ignored. Oliver Elsner's appeals for more consideration and the implementation of effective safety measures should be recommended to a broad audience so that the city continues to be seen as a place worth living in for all road users. Bamberg has the potential to become a role model in traffic planning and ensure safety for cyclists.