The planning and implementation of the planned high-speed cycle link between the cities involved is considerably more complex than a conventional cycle path, if only because of its length of approx. 18 km. Many parameters will have to be taken into account during the planning process and a large number of proposals and arguments will have to be weighed up against each other.

At the end of the participation process that has now begun, the aim is to achieve a route that is as consensual as possible. Interested parties will be invited to various workshops in the respective cities to actively participate in this process.

The project is currently estimated to cost around 24 million euros. The federal government has pledged funding of 75 percent of the costs for planning and construction. The remaining costs will be divided proportionately between the three municipalities.

Ralf Sygusch, Director of the Greater Braunschweig Regional Association, explained the role of the association: "Wolfsburg - Braunschweig - Salzgitter and Wolfenbüttel form the central axis of the region with around half of the inhabitants and well over half of the employees and are also closely interlinked in terms of transport. According to state planning, they form a so-called upper-central network, i.e. they should cooperate and work together more closely in a wide variety of areas. The regional association represents a bracket for this cooperation, particularly in the area of mobility.

So what could be more obvious than to actively involve the association in the planning and fundraising for the two high-speed cycle connections from Braunschweig to Wolfsburg and Braunschweig to Salzgitter and Wolfenbüttel. All the municipalities involved have agreed to work together on the high-speed cycle link and have commissioned the regional association with the planning in consultation with all those involved."

Braunschweig's Lord Mayor Dr. Thorsten Kornblum said at the start of the event: "The city of Braunschweig has been promoting cycling for years. The council had decided to raise the standard for the construction and expansion of cycle paths and to establish a cycle route network within Braunschweig. "The high-speed cycle connection to Wolfenbüttel and Salzgitter is the next step in strengthening cycling connections to neighboring municipalities."

Ivica Lukanic, Mayor of Wolfenbüttel, added: the cities of Braunschweig and Wolfenbüttel have been historically linked for centuries and the ÖPNV connections are excellent. "In addition to buses and trains, the cycle highway is an important and attractive transport option on the short but busiest commuter route in the entire region - between Wolfenbüttel and Braunschweig."

Salzgitter city councillor Michael Tacke explained that the structure of the city of Salzgitter is characterized by the juxtaposition of numerous districts with an urban and a more rural character and the large industrial companies. This diversity also represents an opportunity for the city, as it will grow in the coming years. This means that the infrastructure must also grow in many areas. "The high-speed cycle link offers the opportunity to expand the infrastructure for cycling on the one hand and to provide commuters with an environmentally friendly option to get to the major employers and to Braunschweig quickly and conveniently by bike on the other."

The feasibility studies commissioned years ago by the regional association served as the basis for the successful application for funding. During the planning phase, the regional association is in charge of the project. The respective municipalities are then responsible for the actual implementation, i.e. the construction of the cycle path. The municipalities are also responsible for determining the actual route, taking local interests into account."

Over the next few weeks, citizens will be able to contribute their suggestions and proposals at workshops in the respective municipalities. These will be incorporated into the further planning process. This will form the basis for the concrete design planning, which will also form the basis for the statutory approval and participation procedures.