Advanced bicycle streets as a new tool for transport transformation – a case study from Frankfurt am Main, Germany

Global warming and intense competition for urban land pose the pressing need to transition towards more sustainable and space-efficient mobility models. Among many innovative strategies to counteract these challenges, street transformation into bicycle streets is an emerging approach in Europe and beyond. However, regulations often restrict implementation on streets exceeding the specified maximum traffic volume, constraining their applicability and limiting their potential impact on a broader mobility transition. Oeder Weg in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, is one of the few examples that circumvented the restrictions and was transformed into a bicycle street despite the original traffic volume surpassing the recommended level. In addition, this transformation is complemented by a series of non-traffic-related measures designed to enhance the street environment, hereby referred to as an "advanced bicycle street". This research takes Oeder Weg as a case study to evaluate the effects and impacts of this approach. The primary aim is to investigate whether advanced bicycle streets influence traffic patterns towards sustainable means of transportation, promote road safety, and improve the street environment. A mixed-method approach was employed to collect primary and secondary data between 2019 and 2023 under a comprehensive research framework, which included two surveys (n 1 : 925; n 2 : 1944), traffic counting, and accident data analysis. Surveys captured user perceptions and acceptance of the measures, while traffic counts and accident records provided objective data on traffic volume and safety. Results indicate that the transformation into an advanced bicycle street successfully promoted active mobility, improved road safety, and the perception of the street environment. Arguments can be made that the transformation influenced cyclists' route choice and triggered a modal shift on the transformed street due to increased perceived safety and comfort on the new bicycle street. Considering these findings, it is demonstrated that bicycle streets can be equally effective and beneficial when implemented on streets with higher traffic volumes, provided that they are accompanied by other infrastructural measures to create a bicycle-friendly environment.