Essen-Kettwig: Speed limit of 30 km/h for one year

Essen, Kettwig, March 25, 2026. The Essen City Council approved a traffic experiment on Wednesday to fundamentally examine the traffic situation in Kettwig. For twelve months, a 30 km/h speed limit will be introduced on Heiligenhauser Straße and the ring road between August-Thyssen-Straße and Werdener Straße. The city aims to assess the impact of a reduced speed limit on safety, noise, traffic flow, and cycling. The experiment will be scientifically monitored and implemented in close coordination with the state road construction authority and the Essen/Mülheim police headquarters. A 30 km/h zone could also be implemented on... Baldeneysee become a game changer.

Before the new speed limits come into effect, extensive baseline data will be collected. This includes average and peak traffic volume, speed levels, accident trends over the past three years, and daytime and nighttime noise levels. These values will be continuously documented throughout the trial. Additionally, potential traffic shifts, impacts on public transport, and changes in noise levels will be recorded. After twelve months, a detailed evaluation will be prepared, which will serve as the basis for further decisions by the Committee on Transport and Mobility.

Regardless of the traffic experiment, the council has decided to make the "Kettwig vor der Brücke" bus stops accessible at their current location. Larger projects, however, will be postponed for the time being. This includes, in particular, the planned new cycle path between Panorama and Ruhr Valley Cycle Path, which was originally intended to provide greater safety and better infrastructure. The council wants to wait for the results of the traffic experiment before deciding on construction and when it will begin.

The new development area "Berschener Weg" also remains a focus for the administration. The impact of the new residential development on traffic will be continuously monitored and incorporated into the subsequent evaluation. Additionally, the possibility of creating further parking spaces or using existing areas more efficiently in the vicinity of Heiligenhauser Straße and the ring road will be examined. The results of these examinations will also be included in the final evaluation, which will determine whether or not a 30 km/h speed limit will be permanently implemented.

A 30 km/h speed limit on Freiherr vom Stein Street at Baldeneysee would be sensible and justifiable for several reasons – both from a traffic and urban planning perspective. The street is one of the busiest riverside roads in Essen and fulfills multiple functions simultaneously: it is a through road, recreational area, cycle route, pedestrian zone, and access road to leisure facilities, clubs, and parking lots. This very mix makes it a sensitive traffic space where a lower speed limit would bring noticeable benefits.

The Freiherr vom Stein road is heavily used by people traveling on foot or by bicycle – be it to and from the Hügel S-Bahn station, the Villa Hügel, To reach the regatta tower, the parking lots, the clubs, the boathouses, or the restaurants, crossing the street can sometimes be a safety risk. At the same time, the sidewalk is narrow in places, and cyclists have to share the road with cars. Reducing the speed limit to 30 km/h would increase reaction times, shorten braking distances, and alleviate conflicts. This would be a significant safety improvement, especially during rush hour, in good weather, and on weekends when many people are out and about.

The Baldeneysee is an important recreational area and tourist attraction – and noise plays a significant role there. A 30 km/h speed limit noticeably reduces noise levels, especially during acceleration and in curves. This means a more pleasant environment for walkers, joggers, and people who want to relax by the lake. Everyone would benefit.

Paradoxically, a 30 km/h speed limit can actually stabilize traffic flow. The Freiherr vom Stein road is often characterized by cars parking or turning, pedestrians crossing, and cyclists. At 50 km/h, abrupt braking maneuvers and stop-and-go traffic are more frequent. A consistent, lower speed leads to smoother traffic flow and significantly fewer stressful situations.

The Baldeneysee is one of the city's most important recreational areas. Many cities deliberately implement 30 km/h speed limits in such areas to enhance the character of a recreational space and adapt traffic to the surroundings, rather than the other way around. A speed reduction would therefore also send an urban planning message: Here, spending time in the area takes precedence over driving through.