New bicycle hoops inaugurated
66 new bicycle parking racks have been installed at 10 important streetcar and bus stops throughout the city in recent weeks. The symbolic "cut through the red ribbon" for the inauguration took place today (September 22, 2022) at the Winzerla streetcar stop as part of European Mobility Week, which takes place annually from September 16 to 22 - this year under the motto "Better connected".
The bicycle parking stands were financed by the special climate protection program of the Thuringian Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Nature Conservation. The city of Jena received almost 600,000 euros for climate protection measures. Anja Siegesmund, Thuringia's Environment Minister, is delighted with the money well spent: "Cycling is climate protection right on our doorstep. We have launched the special climate protection program for local authorities for precisely such projects as here in Jena and I am delighted that Jena is using the state funding quickly and effectively. More bicycles in cities not only need good cycle paths, but also secure parking spaces."
Christian Gerlitz, Mayor and Head of the Department for Urban Development and the Environment, sees the measure as another important contribution to climate protection in Jena. "With the special funding program of the Free State, we have been able to implement further important measures to promote climate-friendly mobility in recent months. The literal meaning of the motto of this year's European Mobility Week 'better connection' of cycling and public transport is of particular concern to me."
"The installation of the bicycle parking stands will make it easier for our passengers to cover the last mile from the bus stop to their front door by bicycle and to make even greater use of environmentally friendly public transport," adds Andreas Möller, Managing Director of Jenaer Nahverkehr. "By providing secure bicycle parking spaces in the immediate vicinity of the stop, we make it easy to switch between modes of public transport and make bus and train travel in Jena even more attractive." Together with the city, Jena's public transport system selected locations for the parking stands where there was already a recognizable need. "This will hopefully put an end to the often observed 'wild parking', which is associated with obstructions, damage or even theft."
Kommunalservice Jena was responsible for the practical implementation of the construction measures. "The fact that we were able to complete the bicycle parking facilities on time has already presented us with a number of challenges this year. The municipal company also had to contend with supply bottlenecks. This required particularly good coordination between all those involved," says Uwe Feige, Plant Manager at KSJ.
Stops at which bicycle stands were installed.
- Lobeda Ost streetcar terminus
- Winzerla final streetcar stop
- E.-Simsek-Platz streetcar stop towards the city center
- Lobeda (streetcar stop)
- Sportforum (streetcar stop)
- Jenaertal (streetcar stop)
- Ziegenhainer Tal (final bus stop)
- Mühltal (final bus stop)
- Jenzigweg (streetcar stop)
- Jena Ost (final streetcar stop)
On the special climate protection program:
A total of over EUR 11.5 million is available to Thuringian municipalities for climate protection; the allocations were divided up according to population. The implementation period is important: the funded measures must be implemented in the period from September 2021 to November 2022. In addition to various projects to promote walking and cycling, funding will also be provided for energy-saving measures in municipal buildings, charging infrastructure to expand e-mobility in the municipal vehicle fleet and infrastructure for climate-friendly energy generation.
Further information on the special climate protection program can be found here.
European Mobility Week:
European Mobility Week is a campaign of the European Commission and has taken place every year from September 16 to 22 since 2002. It offers local authorities from all over Europe a good opportunity to introduce their citizens to the full range of sustainable, barrier-free and future-proof mobility and logistics.
