City cycling as a test run for the "Bridging Mainz-Wiesbaden" project
Cycling provides more energy, reduces stress and is good for the environment. This year, the "Brückenschlag Mainz-Wiesbaden" project is focusing on crossings of the Rhine: as part of the World Design Capital 2026 program, the number of cyclists crossing the Theodor-Heuss-Brücke, Kaiserbrücke and Schiersteiner Brücke will be systematically counted and evaluated for the first time.
The counts will begin during the 2026 Wiesbaden City Cycling campaign as a four-week trial and comparison period.
The campaign aims to encourage more people to commute by bike instead of by car between neighboring cities during the project period in the summer. Counts will be conducted via an app and permanently installed devices. The collected data will be analyzed and presented in an engaging way to the interested public via the city’s cycling dashboard on wiesbaden.de, and is intended to inform the planning of a permanent high-speed cycling route between Wiesbaden and Mainz. The data will reveal when and in which direction the bridges are used most heavily, and which of the three bridges is particularly relevant for cyclists.
This project is being implemented by the Scholz & Volkmer agency and supported by the State Capital of Wiesbaden. Every bridge crossing during the two campaign periods—Wiesbaden City Cycling 2026 and the Brückenschlag Challenge in the fall—counts.
Andreas Kowol, Head of the Transportation Department: “The bridges between Mainz and Wiesbaden are not just structures, but vital connections for many commuters. With the ‘Brückenschlag’ project, we’re highlighting the role cycling already plays today—and the potential that still lies within it. The data we’ve gathered helps us to further develop cycling in a targeted way and to strengthen the connection between our cities in a sustainable manner.”
Maral Koohestanian, Head of the Department for Smart City, Europe, and Public Order: “For the past year, we have been compiling data in the cycling dashboard on wiesbaden.de, making developments in local cycling transparent and understandable. For a Smart City, this open approach to data is crucial: it lays the foundation for informed decisions, more efficient planning, and better collaboration between the administration and the city’s residents. This is how we work together to create a livable Wiesbaden.”
Project initiator Michael Volkmer, of the Scholz & Volkmer agency, sums up the overarching goal of the WDC initiative: “We want to motivate those who haven’t yet started cycling to work. The more people on bikes, the less traffic.”
The City Cycling campaign kicks off in the state capital on Sunday, May 31, and runs through June 20. Everyone who lives, works, goes to school, or belongs to a club in Wiesbaden is invited to cover as many trips as possible by bike and collect kilometers. The campaign is supported by the Wiesbaden Bike Office and ADFC Wiesbaden.
The Brückenschlag Challenge takes place from Sunday, August 16, through Sunday, September 13. Data and information from all campaigns are consolidated in the city’s bike dashboard.
Further information on the project: www.brueckenschlag-challenge.de/about/ (opens in a new tab)
Bicycle Dashboard on wiesbaden.de: Data World: Bicycle Use in Wiesbaden | State Capital Wiesbaden (opens in a new tab)
Register for City Cycling at www.stadtradeln.de/wiesbaden (opens in a new tab)
Current information on dates is available at www.adfc-wiesbaden.de/stadtradeln (opens in a new tab)
This press release is issued by the Press Office of the State Capital of Wiesbaden, Schlossplatz 6, 65183 Wiesbaden, pressereferatwiesbadende Citizens with questions can contact the responsible department or office.