There is a lot going on on Goteboldstraße on hot summer days. The narrow road leads to the most important local recreation area in the west, to the Langwieder Seenplatte – the route is accordingly frequented by cyclists. In the meantime, however, as Irmela Strohhacker knows, many families with children no longer dare to drive there during the week. The fear of being hit by a truck is too great. The pediatrician from Obermenzing experienced such a threatening situation herself last fall: “I was able to jump aside just in time because I saw the danger coming,” says the 69-year-old. “Children”, of which she is certain, “would have been at their mercy”.
Heavy goods traffic, says Strohhacker, who often rides her bike in the area, has increased significantly on Goteboldstrasse in recent years as a result of increased construction activity. North of the road there is a sand and gravel works, an asphalt mixing plant and the Schernthaner composting plant. Their vehicles use this route – and if there were a continuous cycle path, there would be no reason to worry at all, emphasizes the woman from Obermenzing. “But there are about 800 meters missing between Lochhausener Strasse and a cycle path that already exists at the level of the dog pond,” criticizes Strohhacker. “And on this section, due to the lack of alternatives, the trucks drive past you so closely that it really becomes two things.”
The boundary posts along the road have already been bypassed. Cyclists are also at risk of falling from the dilapidated shoulders at the side of the road. Citizens and local politicians have been demanding a safe cycle path for 20 years – so far without success. The reason is property rights. “The city,” explained Mayor Dieter Reiter to Obermenzingerin in a letter from the end of May, “has had considerable difficulties for years in acquiring the partial areas required for the cycle path and footpath”. Some parcels of land now belong to the municipality. However, the majority of owners do not want to sell. The head of the town hall confirms that it is also about money. However, the city is “bound to the square meter prices objectively assessed by the municipal valuation office for the land that is predominantly determined as agricultural land” and “cannot pursue the individual price expectations of some owners”.
According to the will of the residents, a mediator should mediate between the city and the property owners
Reiter does not give specific figures. In August and September, the building department now wants to renovate the section of Goteboldstrasse between Auenbruggerstrasse and Lochhausener Strasse – and in the course of this there are also plans to complete and widen the sidewalk in this section. This means that “at least in this area, there is an increase in safety for the children cycling,” said the mayor. However, here, too, “negotiations on the use or purchase of the property missing to close the gap in the walkway have not yet been completed,” meaning that the walkway closure is not yet certain. Straw chopper is not enough. In her view, given the danger, the city must now change its strategy. Supported by the unanimous vote of the Obermenzinger citizens’ assembly, she pleads for the use of a mediator for the discussions between the municipality and the property owners”.
When asked whether expropriation could also be a possible option, the municipal department did not want to comment. According to spokesman Andreas Sigl, “they are still in negotiations that will be vigorously pursued.” However, for “reasons of confidentiality” one cannot “give any further information on contract negotiations”.