Unrest in Pforzheim: Crowds Gather for Demonstrations

In the picturesque town of Pforzheim, known for its three rivers and surrounding nature, there's a growing concern about the safety of cyclists, particularly in the inner-city neighborhoods and near schools.

Daniela Duffner, an active member of the ADFC and part of the "Critical Mass" organizing team, praises the town's natural beauty but expresses concerns about its accessibility, especially at the intersection near the Kallhardt Bridge. She believes that improvements in infrastructure are necessary, especially for children and youth.

The intersection, on the route from the city garden to the Davos Way, is considered confusing by the activists of "Critical Mass", especially for families with children. Many people in inner-city neighborhoods of Pforzheim don't feel safe cycling in front of their homes. As a result, bikes are often put in car trunks and taken to the outskirts to start the tour in Pforzheim due to a lack of cycling culture.

To address these issues, Bastian Wetzke from the ADFC has proposed a cycling safety course at the Youth Traffic School in Pforzheim. The course, scheduled for Saturday, September 20th, includes a theory and practice part to teach and train safe and respectful behavior in traffic, aiming to reduce accident risks. Wetzke also refers to the upcoming "Kidical Mass" bike demonstration, organised by "Critical Mass", which will take place on the same day.

"Critical Mass" is a movement that often critiques city politics but also praises positive aspects. The bike tour, which starts from the Orphanage Square, goes over the Copper Hammer to Dillweißenstein, then over the Stone Bridge and the Peace Street, and ends back in the city center.

Wetzke suggests temporarily closing streets near schools during school start and end times as a measure to make school routes safer. He believes that this wouldn't cause traffic chaos, as many schools are located in residential areas on small, quiet streets. The traffic ministry's guidelines aim to implement these changes in Pforzheim.

The traffic ministry's guidelines also emphasize the importance of finding a suitable solution for each school by selecting and combining measures. Wetzke believes that implementing these guidelines wouldn't cost much money, making it a practical solution for improving cycling safety in Pforzheim.

As the school year approaches, these initiatives aim to make Pforzheim a safer and more bike-friendly town for its residents, particularly its children and youth.