ADFC Wiesbaden/Rheingau-Taunus demands: Deutsche Bahn must systematically consider cycling when renovating its corridors

Barrier-free and signposted bike diversions at railway lock in Rüdesheim are still missing

During the corridor renovation of the right-hand Rhine line between Troisdorf and Wiesbaden, the level crossing on the B42 in Rüdesheim has been completely closed from 15 July to 28 July 2026 inclusive. The blocking affects not only motorised traffic and rail replacement traffic, but also cycling – including the heavily frequented Hessian long-distance cycle route R3 and the European route EuroVelo 15, both of which run directly at the level crossing.

Lack of indications and insufficient diversion for cyclists

Despite the high touristic importance of the route – especially in summer, when many tourists populate Rüdesheim and cyclists arrive from the Rhine Valley or by ferry from Bingen – cycling was initially hardly taken into account when planning the closure. Complaints reached the ADFC because there were no signs or indications on the network. A large-scale diversion via Presberg and Lorch, as it is intended for car traffic, is completely unsuitable for cyclists.

Apparently, it was planned that cyclists use the nearby stairs and change to the footpath south of the tracks to get back to the Rheinstraße at the KD jetty. However, this solution is only practical for sporty cyclists with light wheels. For everyday cyclists, families with trailers, cyclists with luggage or users of heavy pedelecs, the stairs cannot be mastered.

Helpers on the ground – but still no signposting

Since Thursday, two helpers on behalf of DB InfraGO have been available on the stairs, who, according to their own statements, carry bikes over the stairs from 5:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. in a friendly and helpful manner. The ADFC welcomes this short-term improvement. Nevertheless, the ‘diversion’ remains virtually invisible to uninformed cyclists without any signposting.

Especially cyclists travelling from Rüdesheim in the direction of Assmannshausen have to turn off Rheinstraße early and cross the tracks – an indication of this has so far been completely missing.

Problematic evasive tests over the pedestrian tunnel

Many cyclists try in their distress to cross the tracks at the old station through the pedestrian tunnel. But even there, a long staircase prevents the passage. Elke Tegeler, chairwoman of the ADFC Wiesbaden / Rheingau-Taunus, was on site on Saturday and reports:

“I spoke at the old train station with a cyclist who was standing on the stairs in front of the tunnel with her E-bike and couldn't get any further. She wanted to go to the ferry to Bingen and was so frustrated that she wanted to stop her tour.”

Background: Extensive closures in the context of corridor refurbishment

The closure of the level crossing is part of the large-scale modernisation of the right-hand Rhine line, which will last until mid-December 2026. Numerous level crossings between Wiesbaden and Lorchhausen are temporarily or permanently closed.

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.