ADFC Wiesbaden/Rheingau-Taunus demands: Wörthstraße in Eltville must remain open for cycling in the opposite direction

Wiesbaden, 19.01.2026 – ADFC Wiesbaden/Rheingau-Taunus criticises the fact that the release of Wörthstraße for cycling in the opposite direction has been lifted and calls on the city of Eltville to reverse the measure immediately. For many cyclists, Wörthstrasse is an important direct connection between the old town and northern districts. Why a functioning and safe cycling route has been restricted for years is not comprehensible.
In principle, one-way roads must be permitted for cycling in the opposite direction: legally, the former ‘Kann’ regulation became a ‘should’ rule; derogations are only permitted in justified atypical cases according to a decree of the Hessian Ministry of Transport. This amendment is intended to encourage road traffic authorities to increase the number of one-way roads. The city of Eltville does exactly the opposite.

Traffic management in Wörthstraße has proven itself
The Wörthstraße is clearly arranged, has little traffic and is not used by buses or trucks. Due to the maximum permissible speed of 20 km/h, all road users move slowly and no accident involving reverse cycling has become known since the introduction of the release. There are therefore no objective reasons to withdraw the opening.

Elke Tegeler, Member of the Board of ADFC Wiesbaden/Rheingau-Taunus, emphasised: "From my own experience, I know that the mutual consideration between cyclists and motorists in Wörthstraße worked fine. Speed 20 makes cyclists feel safe and easy to avoid oncoming traffic.”

The ADFC does not consider the argument put forward by the magistrate that there is no breadth of encounter to be convincing. A mandatory minimum width is not required and there are sufficient alternatives on site. However, if adjustments were to be made, marked parking areas or floor markings could improve the situation – without restricting cycling.

Studies show positive effects on road safety
According to the Hessian Ministry of Transport, extensive research shows that open one-way roads are neither more likely to cause accidents nor pose an increased risk compared to unreleased ones. Rather, they tend to have a positive effect on road safety and traffic flow. A 2016 study by the Association of the German Insurance Industry also confirms this assessment: the opening of one-way roads for cycling is therefore generally without problems, so that additional measures are not required – provided that the requirements of the administrative regulation on the Road Traffic Code are complied with.
Citizens call for the opening of one-way roads for cycling in the opposite direction
The existing restriction for cyclists is at odds with contemporary urban development and the expectations of the population. Already when citizens participated in mobility in the Rheingau-Taunus district in March 2020, the release of one-way roads in Eltville was one of the four most frequently mentioned measures. After implementation, this was also reflected in the ADFC Bike Climate Test 2020: The open one-way roads were rated positively and clearly perceived as progress. In addition, the evaluation of the near-mobility check carried out on behalf of the city of Eltville shows that approved one-way roads are considered a strength of the city. It also stresses that the priority of the flowing traffic of pedestrians and cyclists over the dormant car traffic is a central approach to improving local mobility.

Negative consequences of the closure
The ADFC warns against undesirable side effects: cyclists are sensitive to detours and are expected to continue driving against the one-way direction or dodge on sidewalks. While such breaches are not acceptable, they are expected – and they worsen road safety rather than increase it.
The ADFC therefore calls on the city of Eltville to immediately restore the release of Wörthstraße for cycling in both directions.

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.