Residents of Aying in the Munich district now have a safer and more convenient way to travel by bike or on foot. A new 1.2-kilometre cycling and pedestrian path along the Staatsstraße M8 was officially inaugurated this week, just three months after construction began.
The project cost €1.3 million, 75% of which was funded by the federal government under the “Stadt und Land” mobility program.
The remaining share was covered by the municipality and the district.
Representatives from the Bavarian Ministry of Transport, Aying’s mayor Peter Wagner (CSU), district administrator Christoph Göbel, and local officials attended the opening ceremony.
Quick turnaround and local cooperation
“This was really, really fast,” said Martin Schildmann, head of Aying’s building authority, noting that the groundbreaking only took place in early June. Construction was carried out without major disruptions to traffic, thanks to careful planning and cooperation with local landowners and tenants.
Children from nearby Trautshofen also attended the ceremony, as the path now provides them with a safe route to school and sports clubs.
“This is a big step forward for our community,” Wagner said, thanking all those involved in making the project possible.
The municipality of Aying first applied for the bike path in 2021, citing the need to improve safety for cyclists and pedestrians along the busy state road.
Environmental protection integrated into construction
According to the district administration, environmental considerations were a priority throughout the build. Measures included protecting existing trees and ensuring habitats for birds and hazel dormice were safeguarded.
Encouraged by the smooth process, Mayor Wagner expressed his hope to extend the bike path further to the district border, expanding the local cycling network.
Federal support for modern mobility
The “Stadt und Land” funding program, launched as part of the German government’s 2030 Climate Protection Program, aims to expand modern cycling infrastructure and support municipalities in creating seamless cycling networks.
District administrator Göbel highlighted the benefits: “In recent years, we have been able to build around 35 kilometres of new bike paths in the Munich district thanks to this program.”
The Aying project marks another step toward safer, greener, and more sustainable mobility options for residents in Bavaria.
