Cycle paths in Lower Allgäu: District calls for more support for communities!

Cycle paths in Lower Allgäu: District calls for more support for communities!

The Unterallgäu district is doing everything it can to promote the construction of locally important cycle paths in its communities. In a current meeting of the district council, there was a clear majority that supported District Administrator Alex Eder's plan to change the legal framework for financial participation in the construction of cycle paths. Loud Allgäu newspaper Eder is commissioned to fight for more freedom of decision-making among ministries and members of the state parliament - but without fundamentally shifting responsibilities.

A look at the legal framework shows that districts are currently not allowed to contribute financially to the construction of municipal cycle paths. The Eichenau ruling from 1992 ensures this restriction because it states that the development of a cycle path network is not the responsibility of the district. Only dependent cycle paths may be built along district roads. However, Eder criticizes that this ruling is no longer up to date, especially in view of the increasing number of e-bikes and pedelecs. After all, a diversified cycle path network is not only important for climate protection and traffic safety, but also an advantage for health and tourism in the region.

Cycle path construction as a tradition

The district has been investing in building cycle paths for communities since the 1980s, but this process was interrupted after the Eichenau ruling. Against this background, an investment program for 26 cycle path axes was launched. But after legal doubts emerged, the district committee was forced to reconsider its plans. The discussion about funding cycle paths has been reignited, and the district council has now unanimously voted to return to the old funding practice.

Eder and the district council agree: In order to promote sustainable cycling infrastructure in the region, municipalities need more scope for decision-making. It remains to be seen how the Bavarian Ministry of Transport will react to this initiative. Citizens in the Unterallgäu district can look forward to an exciting development that could not only revolutionize the everyday life of cyclists, but also contribute significantly to the district's attractiveness.

A well-developed network of cycle paths not only has benefits for the health of citizens, but also remains an essential topic in the discussion about climate protection. After all, cycling is becoming more and more popular with many people and could therefore play a central role in the transport concept of the future.