Greens: Nature conservation associations do not put the brakes on cycle path construction

The Greens in the Saxon state parliament are defending themselves against the impression that the slow construction of cycle paths is linked to complaints from nature conservation associations. Infrastructure Minister Regina Kraushaar (CDU) suggested this in a newspaper interview at the end of April, according to the Green parliamentary group. A minor inquiry by MP Katja Meier has now revealed that none of the 31 projects that received planning permission between 2020 and 2024 were the subject of legal action by nature conservation associations.

"Minister Kraushaar's statement is not only factually incorrect, but also politically dangerous. It fuels mistrust towards recognized nature conservation associations and plays cycling off against nature conservation," explained Meier. This distracts from the real challenges of building cycle paths. These include a lack of planning resources, long coordination processes and the wrong political priorities.

Criticism of cuts to cycle path construction

"In order for more cycle paths to be built in Saxony, political will is needed above all. The CDU and SPD lack this with their draft budget," emphasized Meier. The minority coalition is planning almost 20 million euros less per year for the construction of cycle paths. The Greens had therefore tabled several amendments to increase funding for cycling and enable the construction of new cycle paths.

In the past, the Saxon government had the goal of building 100 kilometers of cycle path per year. In fact, the reality is far more modest. According to the Green Party, eight kilometers of new cycle paths were built in 2023. In 2024, it was just under 20 kilometers. In addition, almost 64 kilometers are under construction and 153 are being planned.