A one-off traffic trial in Saxony: a cycle lane on the road between Merkwitz and Seegeritz

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A special transport project is set to take place between Merkwitz and Seegeritz near Taucha: there are plans to set up a trial involving cycle protection lanes on the main road. This pilot project is the first of its kind in the Free State of Saxony and will be subject to scientific monitoring. A cycle safety lane is an area at the edge of the carriageway marked by a dotted line and bicycle symbols.

Legally, it forms part of the carriageway and serves to make cyclists more visible and improve their safety. Motor vehicles may only cross the protected cycle lane when necessary – for example, in the event of oncoming traffic – and must do so without endangering anyone.

The traffic trial between Seegeritz and Merkwitz is scheduled to run for a maximum of two and a half years. Preparations for its implementation are currently underway. The final marking of the protected cycle lanes is scheduled for the week of 14 to 19 September 2026, subject to weather conditions.

A key component of the project is its scientific monitoring. Even at this early stage, the experiences and views of people using the route are being recorded. To this end, an online survey has been set up for adult residents, particularly for those who use the road between Merkwitz and Seegeritz.

The focus is on perceptions of the traffic situation, personal experiences and the sense of safety along the route. The aim is to gather insights into current usage and potential improvements.

School pupils are also being involved in the study. A specially designed questionnaire records how often they cycle along the route, what problems they perceive whilst doing so, and the reasons why they might not cycle along the road. It also examines the extent to which they feel safe, comfortable or restricted whilst cycling along the route.

The surveys are intended to capture different perspectives on the current traffic situation and to provide scientific monitoring of the effects of the traffic trial. Those in charge would welcome broad participation and support in sharing the survey, so that as many experiences and views from the public as possible can be incorporated into the study.

The online survey can be found here.