A Hidden Cycling Paradise in Germany?

[@dontgetlost4078]

2:59 The REV St-Denis in Montreal has counted 1,5M users in 2023. Outstanding.

[@spijkerpoes]

Got here via mossy earth cheers from Holland - former Amsterdam cyclist !!

[@TheRuralUrbanist]

Welcome!

[@NicLaue]

What a beautiful city!

[@rustyshackleford9498]

I really enjoyed Heidelberg when I was there! The castle is beautiful, the pedestrian area is great but a little too corporate, and the rest of the zentrum is quite nice. Not to mention the low mountains in the region that make it great to get out and ride, run, or hike. My biggest complaint is how much car traffic there is along the river and the lack of trees in the central square.

[@TheRuralUrbanist]

I totally agree! There is good stuff and local shops around, you just need to get off Hauptstr.

[@theEumenides]

The Plöck is such a nightmare. The number of pedestrians that cross the street without looking is mind blowing. I'm also originally from the American Midwest, so obviously HD blows that out of the water in terms of bike infrastructure, but Heidelberg is way more car-friendly than it needs to be. Just look at the construction on Rohrbacherstraße. It is being converted into a one-way street, but instead of building a separate cycle track, they decided to add angled street parking.

[@TheRuralUrbanist]

Great... I was hoping that that was temporary. Send me an email at the email in my profile, curious to get more of your perspective as an American living here.

[@susannedaubner1585]

Agreed! Now that the road is paved, they opted for improper on street unprotected bike lanes. Its a shame, but at least there is the Gaisbergstraße running parallel to it.

[@susannedaubner1585]

I can't believe we've got our own urbanist youtuber in Heidelberg now! I think the city still has a loong way to go, but at least there is some progress. See you at the next local ADFC meet up?

[@TheRuralUrbanist]

Hey, I'm surprised I haven't seen you there! I may have been too positive, but it's important to show progress.

[@tomburns5231]

Could you make a guide on buying a bike and your biking around Heidelberg for expats?

[@TheRuralUrbanist]

Hey, not a bad idea! That said, the bike was purchased in Rosenheim, Oberbayern. But the same principle should apply! eBay kleinanzeigen and care taken not to buy a stolen one.

[@BetterPlacesPodcast]

Hey, what a great video!

[@CaptainSiscold]

Loved Heidelberg when I visited last year; a friend of mine is lucky enough to live there, and I'm very jealous!

[@toniderdon]

Lets goo new Rural Urbanist video

[@susannedaubner1585]

Could you do a video on the "Anderer Park" in Heidelberg? Id love to get your opinion on what they have done with the Paradeplatz, which I think is a horrible example of what "preserving history" can mean for urban development

[@NAUM_Areas]

So raised cycle track are bike trails along a street?

[@TheRuralUrbanist]

It can be like that, but perhaps it's best to think of it like a protected lane or like HOV lanes.

[@NAUM_Areas]

@@TheRuralUrbanist Cool just thinking about the bike trails my city has that follow along with streets. Some even have tunnels under the street so don't have to worry about crossing it.

[@CasualCommuter_]

I'm definitely guilty of referring to cycle tracks as bike lanes 😅

[@TheRuralUrbanist]

Don't worry, the healing can begin now! It's just that I've had people tell me how much more dangerous bike infrastructure is from cities, because they have only ever seen the lanes on the street...not the proper tracks.

[@midnightKEKW]

Might want to check out HD-Freeride e.V. if you want to explore Bike Trails in the Heidelberg area

[@steffenberr6760]

A big difference however is the German “cycle streets” doesn’t do much to reduce through traffic so the quality of them will vary drastically

[@andremuller8822]

So cool you moved here, hit me up, if you need someone to show you around a bit more...

[@TheRuralUrbanist]

Hey, my business email is in the channel description, or you can try me on Instagram. Link in the video description.

[@toniderdon]

I would argue that Heidelberg is the most livable, most beautiful city in Germany

[@mug3l]

Not not for city cycling. The MTB trails at Königstuhl are simply awesome.

[@auslegungssache]

me, a northerner, seeing that south germany does everything better🐈😭

[@TheRuralUrbanist]

I mean, you guys have Münster I guess...

[@GenericUrbanism]

The Ashville of Germany?

[@insatsuki_no_koshou]

I lived in Heidelberg for almost ten years, and I cannot tell you how much I disagree with your praise. Apart from newly developments, Heidelberg is doing jack shit to improve cycling. And even the bike "infrastructure" in the newly built (!) Bahnstadt is just a gutter in places. The new intersection in front of the main station is also hella dangerous for cyclists, with wide curves for right turning cars that share your phase. The old train dams are a very insulated feature and were only reused for biking because motorists did not lose out for it. Speaking of motorists, they are absolutely unhinged. Bike lane parking is ignored by police and Ordnungsamt anyways. And you will get honked on or almost hit if you ride on a street without bike lanes. Seriously, take other routes than the single connection from Patrick-Henry-Village to old town.