Better signposting of cycle paths: District implements signposting concept
The district has been working to improve the cycling network in Waldeck-Frankenberg since 2022 with the completion of the everyday cycling concept: paths are being renovated and expanded, obstacles removed, existing routes connected and gaps closed. At the same time, the district is now also improving the associated cycle route signposting.
This should provide good orientation for cyclists. "The current signposting can be greatly improved," reports the district's local mobility coordinator Nicole Sude from the Building Department. "Some of it does not meet the specifications, is outdated, damaged or incomplete or has not yet been entered in the state-wide register. We want to change that."
Funding from the state of Hesse
With this in mind, the district is working on the corresponding concept as a first step - in order to be able to financially calculate the structural implementation based on this. For the first step, the district has received funding via the local mobility guidelines of the state of Hesse - around 124,000 euros out of a total investment volume of around 166,000 euros. The district will bear its own share of around 42,000 euros.
The cycle route signposting is intended to raise public awareness of cycling, make existing routes visible and contribute to making cycling more attractive and, above all, safer. New user groups are to be tapped into and the independent mobility of children and young people strengthened. As the district also offers cycle tourism, synergies can be created by bundling everyday and leisure routes. Good signposting is therefore also important for holidaymakers.
Junction system as an additional element
The district will be one of the first in Hesse to introduce a junction system in parallel to the standard signposting. The principle is based on "cycling by numbers". Cyclists cycle by numbers to get from A to B and receive additional tourist information on information boards. Digital route planning is carried out using the Hesse cycle route planner.
Encouraging more people to cycle
"After tackling numerous structural measures on our cycling network over the past few years, improving cycle route signposting, including the junction system, is the next logical step," says District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst. "Not only good cycle paths, but also good signposting are crucial to encourage more people to cycle," explains Karl-Friedrich Frese, First District Councillor. "With this project, we are making a contribution to the transport transition in our region and actively promoting environmentally friendly and healthy mobility."
Approx. 2,000 kilometres of cycle paths will be tested
The signposting concept is being developed by the specialist office VAR+ from Darmstadt. "This also includes cycling the estimated 2,000 kilometres of routes - by bike, of course," says Managing Director Uwe Petry. On site, it is determined which signs are located where and where new signs and boards can find their logical location. All information is also entered into a digital register in order to maintain and update the signposting in the long term.
Towns and municipalities are involved
When implementing the project, the district attaches great importance to involving local expertise: a steering group - consisting of representatives from the towns and municipalities as well as other stakeholder groups directly related to the signposting - will accompany the project. "The experience of local people is essential for us to develop a truly user-friendly system," explains Susanne Paulus, Head of the Building Department, whose department is in charge of the project.
The schedule envisages the preliminary planning work being completed by spring 2026. The next step will be to calculate the costs for the construction work. An application for funding will also be submitted for the construction. The construction work could start as early as next autumn. Further information on the topic is also available online at www.landkreis-waldeck-frankenberg.de.
Caption: The steering group - consisting of representatives of the local authorities and other stakeholders, which meets regularly - supports the implementation of the signposting concept. (Photo: District of Waldeck-Frankenberg)