Newsletter No. 3 of 27/07/2026

Survey on the planned priority cycle route (VVR)

First of all, a very big thank you to all of you who took part in our survey in such large numbers! Around two-thirds of the people (98) who registered with us took part and also sent us plenty of comments, which we take to heart – whether positive or critical!

The results in brief:

• The responses showed very clear majorities.
• Overall, the majority of participants expressed scepticism or opposition to the VVR cycle priority route. Some participants can see advantages in the city's plan, as a VVR could help curb motorised through traffic.
• Participants also clearly expressed their need for more information and for discussions with the relevant departments, as well as directly with Councillors Brander and Rykart.

You can find the detailed results on this website.

Biased questions?

Some comments criticised our questions for being biased or even leading. Specifically, they were described as 'pro-car' or 'pro-car parking space'. We are fully aware that there are also people living on Hadlaubstrasse who prefer to get about without a car and would very much welcome the cancellation of parking zones. We would therefore like to emphasize once again:

We founded this residents' group to curb through traffic on Hadlaubstrasse – and, it should be noted, without diverting it to other neighbourhood streets!

As a resident's interest group, we do not hold a unified view on the planned restricted parking scheme – indeed, this was not on our agenda when we launched our campaign. However, the two projects have since become inextricably linked.

Upon closer examination of the VVR projects, we quickly realised that the implementation of these routes has led almost everywhere to heated debates, significant local opposition and numerous objections. Consequently, just some six years after the vote, seven of the planned 13 VVR routes are still wholly or partially blocked by objections.

That is why we launched the survey, which did indeed focus on the planned VVR. In doing so, we also sought to address all the concerns raised against it.

Reducing through traffic: Should we oppose the VVR or see it as an opportunity?

The issue of the 'VVR' only came to our attention when the city contacted us. Our fundamental position remains the same: we want to reduce through traffic.

We believe that if the planning of a VVR and the associated measurements now present an opportunity to restrict through traffic, we should view this as a chance.

We were also encouraged in this stance by the strong support shown in question 5: "Assuming the VVR is implemented in the variant “Traffic-calmed neighbourhood street with fewer than 2,000 cars per day” and involves at most a minor reduction in blue-zone parking spaces, do you see this as:" 62 per cent of survey participants see advantages compared to the current situation.

Concerns regarding the VVR

How we will then deal with the specific VVR Hadlaubstrasse project remains an open question. As soon as the VVR project becomes more concrete, we will probably have to treat it as a new project.

Until then, we will certainly pass on to the city the frequently expressed concerns regarding safety and feared conflicts with cyclists that have been sent to us, and insist on appropriate measures. We will consult you again on this whole issue in due course.

Indeed, various articles published in recent weeks – which we have posted on our website – show that these concerns are not entirely unfounded. Links page (German only)

Meeting with city representatives

On 10 August, representatives from the City Traffic Department and Authority of Public Works will brief us in person on the planned measurements. We will also take this opportunity to raise the suggestions you have sent us (for example, locations for speed measurements, measures such as those at Rigiplatz or on Langensteinenstrasse, one-way traffic schemes and many other suggestions).

Following discussions with the City Traffic Department, we have received the survey concept for the priority cycle routes. You can find the draft of this concept, together with the explanatory notes, on this website.

We are pleased to share with you our initial assessment of this proposal:

• We welcome the fact that not only Hadlaubstrasse but also the parallel roads further up (Restelberg-, Freudenberg-, Susenberg- and Gloriastrasse) are included.
• For the speed measurements, we would suggest the following sections (taking your feedback into account): Sections Hadlaubstrasse 20–28, 94–110 and Germaniastrasse 3–9).
• The speed camera at Hadlaubstrasse 150 is not only used to record speed, but primarily to measure traffic volume. The City Traffic Department states the following in this regard:
  "With regard to the measurement points, which are to be installed before the summer holidays, our primary focus is on traffic volumes. The monitoring station in front of the building (Hadlaubstrasse) No. 150 serves as a reliable location for this, as through traffic is obliged to pass through there in both directions.
  To cover the entire area, we are happy to install further 'green' monitoring devices to record speed and traffic volume at various points along Hadlaubstrasse and, if necessary, at other locations."

We will, of course, keep you informed about this meeting in our next newsletter.

We'll keep you up to date.

See you soon, with warm regards,
On behalf of the IG Hadlaubstrasse
Andrea König, Christian Nötzli and Hildegard Widmer