RuhrtalRadweg Charter 2026: Lead partners take stock
In 2022, all local authorities and districts along the RuhrtalRadweg jointly signed the "RuhrtalRadweg Charter 2026". This charter formulates clear goals and measures to further develop the RuhrtalRadweg in terms of the three key objectives of quality, target group orientation and sustainability by the 20th anniversary in 2026. At the start of the upcoming cycling season, the project partners will take stock of the situation.
"Quality improvement" objective
The RuhrtalRadweg already offers a high level of quality and was awarded four stars as an ADFC quality cycle route in the years 2009-2024. The aim of the charter is to further improve and sustainably secure this level by the 20th anniversary in 2026. To this end, those responsible for the RuhrtalRadweg have been working intensively with all neighboring municipalities and districts since the charter was signed. In recent years and months, a comprehensive catalog of measures has been developed in several workshops and in inter-municipal coordination, which defines structural and infrastructural improvements along the entire long-distance cycle route.
This catalog continues to develop dynamically and now includes over 100 structural and other measures that contribute to improving the quality of the RuhrtalRadweg along the 240-kilometre route. Numerous measures have already been implemented, while others are being planned, prepared or implemented. Not all of the measures defined in the catalog will be implemented by the anniversary cycling season in 2026. However, the RuhrtalRadweg Charter has been able to initiate many of these measures and should continue to have an impact beyond 2026. Examples of measures aimed at "improving the quality" of the RuhrtalRadweg include
In addition, the accompanying infrastructure has been and is being expanded in many places, such as publicly accessible toilets, drinking fountains, cycle service stations and rest areas. Many of the measures had long been on the "wish list" of the employees responsible for the quality management of the RuhrtalRadweg at the Ruhr Regional Association and the Hochsauerland district. Some of these points were also repeatedly criticized by the ADFC quality inspectors. Nevertheless, there are still some challenges, such as ensuring that the B 480 can be crossed at three points in the Sauerland or removing the push-pull section on the Amprion bridge in Hagen/Herdecke.
Smaller measures also contribute to improving quality. For example, as part of the "bollard decree" issued by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia in January 2024, existing bollards and similar installations on cycle paths have been checked and, where necessary, removed.
Finally, the regular tasks of cycle path maintenance must not be neglected. The large number of tasks and the prevailing shortage of personnel pose a major challenge for local authorities, especially during the cycling season.
Target "New target groups"
With regard to addressing new target groups, the RuhrtalRadweg project office, which is based at Ruhr Tourismus GmbH, was able to obtain federal funding from the National Cycling Plan. Over a three-year project period (summer 2024 to summer 2027), a pilot process for the federal level will create favorable framework conditions and suitable tourism product modules as well as define and use suitable communication channels in order to reach in particular
(a) Families,
(b) people with a history of immigration and
(c) young, trend-setting cycling tourists from the expeditionary milieu (according to SINUS)
to the RuhrtalRadweg.
Goal "Sustainability in cycle tourism"
Contrary to the assumption that a cycling vacation is fundamentally a sustainable form of vacation, the project partners along the RuhrtalRadweg are convinced that there is great potential to make a trip along the RuhrtalRadweg more sustainable. Various measures have therefore been initiated to promote sustainability in cycle tourism and in particular along the RuhrtalRadweg. For example, access to free drinking water has been ensured along the route and the RuhrtalRadweg has now been designated the first "tap water-friendly long-distance cycle route" in Germany with over 100 refill stations. In addition, the RuhrtalRadweg project community is planning to participate in the "Schlaraffenband" project (nutrition project as part of the IGA 2027) and "Planting for tomorrow today" (reforestation project of the town of Winterberg). In addition, the RuhrtalRadweg will undergo a comprehensive review as part of the "Nachhaltigkeitswerkstatt.NRW" of Tourismus NRW e. V. in order to identify future potential and challenges in the area of sustainability.
Outlook
The interim assessment of the RuhrtalRadweg Charter 2026 shows that much has already been achieved in recent years with regard to the goals defined at the time. The project community is confident that the goals set will be fully implemented by 2026 and that the RuhrtalRadweg will be further strengthened and permanently established as one of the top cycle routes in Germany.
Comments on the interim results:
Garrelt Duin (Regional Director Regionalverband Ruhr):
"The Ruhr Regional Association (RVR) has set itself the task of shaping and developing the Ruhrgebiet in a future-oriented way. Many large and small success stories along the RuhrtalRadweg show how this can be achieved in cycling tourism. It connects the region, as does the International Garden Exhibition (IGA) 2027 with its three large future gardens from east to west. Both projects contribute to the tourist attractiveness of the Ruhrgebiet, promote quality of life and strengthen sustainable cycling."
Axel Biermann (Chairman of the Management Board, Ruhr Tourismus GmbH):
"The large number of measures that have been implemented along the RuhrtalRadweg is impressive. It illustrates the great importance that this cycle route has for the neighboring communities. The RuhrtalRadweg is a prime example of how targeted investment in tourism infrastructure creates added value for the entire region."
Dr. Jürgen Fischbach (Managing Director of Sauerland-Tourismus e. V.):
"The supra-regional cooperation along the RuhrtalRadweg is a showcase project. The intensive exchange between those responsible in the cooperation network clearly shows that we can achieve a lot together. Such collaborations are essential for the sustainable development of tourism and cycling infrastructure."
Dr. Karl Schneider (District Administrator of the Hochsauerland district):
"The Hochsauerland district has been focusing on strong and sustainable development in the area of cycling for years. With the establishment of a cycling officer in 2022 and the implementation of the local mobility concept since June 2023, we are making a significant contribution to promoting cycling in our region and further strengthening the RuhrtalRadweg as an attractive destination."
Contact for the press:
Rouven Soyka, Sauerland-Tourismus e. V.
Johannes-Hummel-Weg 1, 57392 Schmallenberg
Tel.: 02974-969830, e-mail: rouven.soyka@sauerland.com