Cycling for Everyone
Cycling for Everyone
Knowledge

Study Visit: Burgwedel

17 May 2024

Many bicycles and variations of cycle paths adapted to the respective situation, no helmets but a feeling of safety and mutual respect – that are just some of the observations and experiences made by the delegation from Burgwedel (Germany) who came to the Netherlands for a study visit. The diverse group of representatives from politics, city administration, planning, research, companies, citizens and the Hannover Region Climate Protection Agency visited Utrecht and Houten from 2nd to 4th of May. The study visit was part of their project “Mobil ans Werk” and was partly funded through the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) as part of the Germany Strategy.

After arrival in the afternoon, the walking tour with Daan Butterman (Mobycon) around Utrecht Centraal started directly with a visit of the bicycle parking Stationsplein to have a look around before the busy rush hour. Some participants did not only look around, but also went for a ride around the Fietsenstalling when they quickly tested the OV-fiets bicycle sharing system. In sunny weather, the tour continued through the lively city centre of Utrecht.

The second day began with an interactive introduction in the seminar room, where the participants shared their expectations on the study visit. Main objectives of the study visit were to collect good examples and ideas for a sustainable mobility system and to examine their transferability to Burgwedel. After a short input about the current situation in Burgwedel, the DCE experts Tim Adema (Roelofs) and Robin van der Griend (Mobycon) gave presentations on Dutch approaches and design. In the discussion that followed, it became clear that an appropriate communication is key when it comes to changes. This came up several times, whether in relation to delivery traffic, pilot projects, parking space management or the attractiveness of public spaces. Strengthened by lunch and driven by great curiosity, even the rainy weather could not stop everyone from getting on their bikes and experiencing for themselves much of what had been discussed. Tim Adema (Roelofs) and Marin Breukelaar (Mobycon) showed the group around on a bike tour to Houten and back.

The study visit was rounded off on Saturday with a workshop together with Herbert Tiemens from the Gemeente Utrecht. Many questions were clarified once again before the group discussed the transferability and application of what they had experienced animated by maps of Burgwedel. After a round of flashlight feedback, the delegation made its way back to Burgwedel.

It was a pleasure to host this open-minded group, to share enthusiasm as well as challenges. We hope that they were able to take some inspiring insights back to Burgwedel which help them to continue to successfully rethink mobility in their project and city.

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Involved partners

Mobycon, Roelofs, Gemeente Utrecht

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