“Connect Mainz and Wiesbaden with good cycle paths!”

This is what the ADFC bicycle clubs on both sides of the Rhine are calling for on World Bicycle Day

Wiesbaden/Mainz, 3.6.2025. On 3 June 2025, the ADFC Wiesbaden/Rheingau-Taunus and the ADFC Mainz-Bingen cycled in the direction of Schiersteiner Brücke. With a lot of ringing, the 50 cyclists greeted each other at the ascent to the western footpath and cycle path, before it went over the motorway bridge to Mainz.

Anticipation for World Bike Day
“Actually, on World Bicycle Day, we wanted to use the new, suspended foot and bicycle path under the Schierstein motorway bridge. Our star ride should celebrate the beautiful cycle path and happily connect both cities", says Karoline Deißner from the ADFC Wiesbaden Executive Board. But now things turned out differently: at the foot of the new cross-connection, which unfortunately was still not opened until Mainz, the cyclists briefly reviewed the history of this eagerly awaited new path.

Opening postponed
After ten years of construction, the Schierstein Bridge between Mainz and Wiesbaden was ‘finally completed’ on 14 August 2023. Since then, six lanes plus parking strips have been available for motor traffic. After all, there are also combined footpaths and cycle paths on both sides of the bridge, but they are rather narrow, especially when prams and cargo bikes meet.
Now, 1.5 years later, the connection under the motorway is open for pedestrians and cyclists coming from Wiesbaden only to the Rettbergsaue. According to Autobahn GmbH, the release of the ascent and descent to Mainz-Mombach had to be postponed in autumn 2024 due to a specially manufactured component and has not yet taken place.

Cyclists get lost
Probably because the bridge seems to be actually finished, many people have been trying for a long time to use the suspended bridge for the crossing. This despite indications of the driving ban. In addition, the authorities are also unable to clearly identify the cycling routes from both river banks to be used officially, so that ‘stranded’ cyclists are repeatedly spotted in the vicinity of the bridge.

Concrete barriers on the Mainz side
On 3 June 2025, the 50 participants of the ADFC round trip were able to take a look at the concrete barriers on the Mombach side that were knocked down by unknown people. In addition, it was announced via the press that, according to Autobahn GmbH, due to the damage now caused to the barrier, it would take even longer before traffic clearance could be granted for the bridge. The bridge section between Rettbergsau and Mainz-Mombach may therefore still not be used.
Irrespective of the aforementioned damage, the access to the Erdal roundabout on the Mainz side has so far only been marked by a not very beautiful gravel path on the construction site and thus apparently not yet completed.

The impatience of cyclists is growing
"We call on Autobahn GmbH and the two provincial capitals to complete the bridge and the junction as quickly as possible and release it for traffic," said Karoline Deißner from ADFC Wiesbaden. Rolf Pinckert from ADFC Mainz-Bingen adds: ‘The sometimes insufficient access and signage of the various crossing options available for cycling must be implemented immediately in a transparent and comprehensible manner – no matter where you come from.’

The cycle path is eagerly awaited – with clear signage
The cycling connection over the Schiersteiner Bridge is an important commuting route from both sides of the Rhine and should be available to cyclists in good condition as soon as possible. Furthermore, the new cycle path provides a touristically attractive and valuable transfer connection, which also requires an understandable direction for non-residents – preferably with sketch boards for the three times two ascents and descents at each ascent / descent.

Questions about the actual state of affairs are of course to be placed with Autobahn GmbH and the two state capitals, as only they have the insight into the construction process.

About the ADFC
With more than 240,000 members, the Allgemeine Deutsche Fahrrad-Club e.V. (ADFC) is the largest representation of the interests of cyclists in Germany and worldwide. He advises on all matters relating to bicycles. Politically, the ADFC is committed to the consistent promotion of cycling on a regional, national and international level.