Dutch delegation visits North Rhine Westphalia

Last week, from May 22nd – 24th, a Dutch delegation went to North Rhine-Westphalia to learn more about the potentials and challenges of cycling. In Düsseldorf, Ronald Faller took us on a bike tour starting at the bike station and stopping at the Bachplätzchen mobility station. There, Dr. David Rüdiger from Connected Mobility Düsseldorf introduced us to the complexity and well thought-out concept of the award-winning mobility hub with its high quality of stay and many integrated functions. The tour ended at the Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Düsseldorf, where we were welcomed by Consul General Hannah Tijmes. Afterwards, Ronald Faller gave us an insight into the strategic mobility planning of the state capital and the plans for the coming years. Thank you very much for the reflective view and realistic assessments! Afterwards, the participants from several cities in the region exchanged views with the Dutch experts on various issues in a workshop which ended in a joint Borrel. A big thank you to Lucie Gerresheim and her colleagues for supporting the whole event! 

We spent the next day at polisMOBILITY and the AGFS Congress in Cologne. An exciting programme of inputs and networking organized by the AGFS NRW, where pragmatic approaches were used to promote the transport transition in rural areas with practical and realistic examples. Afterwards, the best projects in Germany were honored at the German Bicycle Award. The day ended on the roof terrace of Messe Köln with a sundowner and very good discussions with all participants in a great atmosphere and a good exchange.  

On the last day, we visited Bonn to discuss current projects and exchange ideas with the transportation planners there. Due to the weather, we were unable to go on the planned walk but look forward to seeing you again.  

It was an eventful trip during which we learned a lot about Germany, the challenges of the mobility transition and also the successful projects.