Kickoff of Bergisch Gladbach's First School Street Initiative

The school street initiative around KGS In der Auen in Bergisch Gladbach began today, marking a significant step towards making the school route safer for children while maintaining the quality of life in the neighbourhood.

Ragnar Migenda, First Deputy Mayor of Bergisch Gladbach, emphasised the city's interest in developing measures that meet a broad consensus. He thanked everyone involved for their cooperation in the successful start of the school street.

The school, parents, and residents were specifically thanked for their openness and willingness to cooperate. School principal Ralf Ehrlich confirmed that both residents and the majority of parents welcome the measure, and the launch went smoothly. Moni Kellermann, chair of the school parents' association at KGS, expressed that the children felt safer, and the measure was a great start to the pilot phase.

Many parents showed understanding, and the feedback from the school community was overwhelmingly positive. The city will continue to closely accompany the implementation of the school street.

Motorized traffic was diverted to surrounding streets without noticeably impeding traffic flow on "In der Auen" street. During restricted hours, the immediate street area in front of the school remained almost car-free, significantly increasing safety around the school.

Ragnar Migenda expressed appreciation for the trust placed in the administration's mobility expertise. He emphasised that the measure should continue to create a safe infrastructure for all road users. Questions and suggestions can be sent to [email protected].

The measures are described as fact-based, pragmatically implemented, and in dialogue with the people on the ground. Ragnar Migenda also emphasised the city's commitment to developing measures that promote safety and quality of life in the city.

The school street initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure the safety of children in Bergisch Gladbach's schools and communities. As the pilot phase progresses, the city will closely monitor its impact and make necessary adjustments to ensure its continued success.