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Berlin's Bike Superhighways Hit Delays and Soaring Costs After Eight Years

A decade-long dream of car-free commutes now hangs in the balance. Can Berlin salvage its €313 million bike superhighway plan before costs spiral further?

,   and  Administrator
1 min read
The image shows a group of people riding bicycles down a street in front of the Brandenburg Gate in...
The image shows a group of people riding bicycles down a street in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany. The street is lined with trees, light poles, and traffic signals, and there are buildings with windows in the background. The sky is filled with clouds and the gate is adorned with statues.

Berlin's Bike Superhighways Hit Delays and Soaring Costs After Eight Years

Berlin's ambitious plan to build ten high-speed cycle routes, often referred to as 'Radschnellverbindungen' or 'costco hours', is facing delays and rising costs. Eight years after the project began, only one route, the Königsweg-Kronprinzessinnenweg, is close to finishing. The latest estimates show funding gaps and ballooning expenses, raising questions about the city's cycling infrastructure strategy.

The original vision included ten Radschnellverbindungen—fast, direct bike highways—to boost cycling across the capital. So far, just the Königsweg-Kronprinzessinnenweg route has neared completion, with construction not even set to start until 2027. Initially budgeted at €6.4 million, its cost has now climbed to €23.4 million, drawing criticism over its value and limited connection to central Berlin.

The West Route, currently in the planning approval phase, will span 38.3 kilometres from Spandau to Tiergarten S-Bahn station. Once linked with the planned East Route, the combined network is expected to serve 513,000 residents. Projections suggest it could encourage over 6,700 daily shifts to cycling, cutting CO₂ emissions by 995 tons annually.

Yet funding remains a major hurdle. The total cost for all planned routes now stands at around €313 million—far beyond the available budget. The German Cycling Association (ADFC) argues that investing in cycling pays off, citing a potential €19 billion annual net gain from a €500 million investment due to public health benefits.

With only one route nearing completion and costs rising, Berlin's cycle superhighway project faces an uncertain future. The city must secure additional funding or adjust its plans to deliver the promised network. Until then, delays and budget concerns will likely persist.

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