The ADFC cycling club is a supporter of the Fridays For Future movement's global climate strike and is calling on all cycling sympathisers, members, supporters and regional groups to take part in the strike from 20 September.

According to the ADFC, the climate goals can only be achieved with a traffic turnaround in favor of car alternatives and a tripling of cycling. Groups of ADFC and Fridays For Future are planning joint actions in numerous cities.

Rebecca Peter's, ADFC deputy federal chairwoman, said: „The transport sector has so far not contributed at all to achieving the climate and sustainability goals. On the contrary, our cities are becoming more and more crowded, stressful, dangerous and dirty. However, climate-friendly mobility does not mean joining forces now to put 47 million e-cars on the roads and continuing to provide every conceivable incentive for people to travel even absurdly short distances by car. We need highly attractive offers for cycling and walking in combination with a top-developed public transport system - and much less car traffic to secure the quality of life in cities and the countryside!"

Request to the Climate Cabinet: investment boost

Specifically, the ADFC is calling for the implementation of the measures drawn up by the transport commission "National Platform for the Future of Mobility" in the spring. In order to increase the cycling mode share from the current meagre eleven per cent to the Dutch level of at least 25 per cent by 2030, nationwide, continuous cycle path networks, fast cycle routes for commuters and freight transport and many millions of bicycle parking spaces at train stations and public facilities must be built. By optimising the expansion of cycling, up to 13.5 million tonnes of CO₂ must be saved. The Federal Government's Energy and Climate Fund must provide at least the 900 million euros per year estimated by the Transport Commission for this purpose. Peter's: "Germany can only achieve the climate targets in the transport sector if the potential of cycling is properly utilised. This potential will not unfold by itself, as the infrastructure has so far tended to discourage cycling. We need an immediate federal programme to finance inviting cycling infrastructure for everyone!"

...and more space for your bike

A new distribution of road space is essential for the climate-friendly transformation of transport. Until now, cars have occupied the lion's share of space in cities. The ADFC is calling for half of the road space to be used for mobility without cars. Peter's"It's not enough to put more money into the system. Wide, safe cycle paths first and foremost need space from car traffic. The federal government must give local authorities far-reaching options in traffic law to actually create this space."

Joint campaigns in many cities

In many cities, including Berlin, Bergisch-Gladbach, Bonn, Gelsenkirchen, Hanover and Munich, ADFC groups are taking part in the global climate strike under the slogan #MehrPlatzFürsRad or #CyclistsForFuture. In Bad Kreuznach, Esslingen, Frankfurt, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Mainz and Nuremberg, ADFC groups are temporarily converting car parking spaces into cycle lanes, street cafés or bicycle parking spaces as part of the international ParkingDay.

Notes for editorial offices: The ADFC working paper on the National Platform Future of Mobility and the ADFC booklet "This is how a traffic turnaround works" can be found in the blue service box. The Strike card from Fridays for Future provides ongoing information about new campaign locations. The supporters of the climate strike are presented on www.klima-streik.org/buendnis.