Mobility

Smart City theme week "fahrRAD"

In a joint campaign week from May 12 to May 16, 2025, the state capital of Wiesbaden, together with key players from the administration and urban society, drew attention to cycling in Wiesbaden.

Smart City head of department Maral Koohestanian praised the joint effort: "This Smart City theme week is a good example of how cross-departmental cooperation can work in a Smart City: I am very pleased that it has been possible to put together such a varied program in a cross-departmental and cross-office cooperation with key players in urban society! Special thanks go to the Wiesbaden associations that are committed to sustainable mobility and cycling in Wiesbaden. Voluntary commitment like this strengthens social cohesion and makes citizens active co-shapers of urban development."

Video mit Eindrücken der verschiedenen Aktivitäten und Angebote während der Themenwoche "fahrRAD" — Impressions of the theme week with voices of the participants and cooperation partners from urban society

The program included exciting lectures, creative workshops and inspiring activities, all of which dealt with the question: "How can the bicycle become a central component of the mobility transition in Wiesbaden?" A particularly large number of citizens came to the opening on the first day, where various Wiesbaden institutions were represented with information stands on the subject of bicycles. In addition, the Wiesbaden police department offered the opportunity to have their bicycles coded. Anyone who did not get a place due to the high demand can find further dates here (opens in a new tab).

Two police officers check an e-bike. — The fahrRAD theme week took place in May 2025.

At the themed evening "Wiesbaden on the way to becoming a bicycle-friendly city" with Ingwar Perowanowitsch, there was plenty of inspiration about bicycle-friendly cities. Afterwards, participants had the opportunity to ask questions to Andreas Kowol, Head of Transport, and Maral Koohestanian, Head of Smart City.

Bicycle data in a smart city

The initiators paid particular attention to the world of cycling data. A wide variety of formats were used to show how existing and new data on cycling in Wiesbaden can serve as a basis for planning, evaluating and implementing measures for a bicycle-friendly city. "By systematically collecting and using this data, the city of Wiesbaden is taking a further step towards becoming a smart city in order to implement the right measures with the greatest added value for all cyclists," explained Smart City head of department Maral Koohestanian, who presented the new dashboard "Data world: bicycle use in Wiesbaden". Here, data on cycling in Wiesbaden from various data sources - such as counting sensors or statistics - is bundled together to make it usable for different target groups. The dashboard, which is to be continuously expanded, can be found here: Data world: Bicycle use in Wiesbaden | City of Wiesbaden (opens in a new tab)

Expansion of the bicycle infrastructure in Wiesbaden

Andreas Kowol, Head of Transport, also welcomed the joint initiative: "We have been expanding the cycling infrastructure across the city since 2017 and are now seeing the results. Current figures clearly show that the proportion of cyclists is increasing, especially on longer routes and on journeys to work. In the city administration, we are working together across departmental boundaries to create even more positive incentives." Kowol continues: "The fact that cycling use has increased, especially on longer routes and on journeys to work, is an incentive for us to increasingly connect the suburbs and neighboring towns with new cycling infrastructure. With a sound data basis, we can make better decisions to promote cycling in a sensible and targeted manner."

Two workshops were offered for citizens interested in data, in which they had the opportunity to build sensors for their own bicycles and measure various parameters (including temperature, humidity and overtaking distance from motor vehicles) during future trips. Some of this data is already being incorporated into the new dashboard for the data world of bicycle use.

Critical Mass shows: Wiesbaden is fit for cycling

As a small highlight, 45 participants rode through Wiesbaden's streets at the end of the Critical Mass and showed that cycling in Wiesbaden can be a lot of fun despite all the hills.