The first 5km of a new cycling highway has been unveiled this month with plans to complete the other 95km dependent on additional funding.

The route is exclusive to bike riders and will be free from pedestrians, cars, trucks and traffic lights. Initial studies suggest the roads will be 50,000 cars lighter each day if the projected popularity of the project gains momentum.

The first stretch of the affectionately named ‘cyclebahn’ has cost €200,000 with the completed 100km highway to come to an estimated cost of €200m. Reports indicate the initial section was co-funded by the EU, the North Rhine-Westphalia state & development group RVR.

If and when it is completed the ‘cyclebahn’ will connect 10 towns in the northwest Ruhr region. It is estimated some 2million people are living within 2km of the proposed route including the close proximity of four Universities.

In stark contrast the UK Government spends £300m on cycling for whole of 2016-21. The consensus in Germany is for projects such as this to reflect the current trends of the people. The German Cyclists’ Federation says that 10% of all journeys in Germany are by bike and appropriate funding should be granted to cyclists.

The managing director for The German Cyclists’ Federation has reiterated where Germany stands on such matters by stating: “Building highways in cities is a life-threatening recipe from the 1960s. No one wants more cars in cities”.

For further reading about cycling infrastructure in the UK read our reaction to Governments road safety statement from December 2015 here.