Lexikon · Schutzstreifen

Example video of “Schutzsstreifen” in Stresemannallee or example photo

Schutzsstreifen are a smaller variant of Radfahrstreifen and worse in every regard. They are part of a single lane and marked by a dashed line – it's usually very narrow. The space right of the dashed line may be used by cars and trucks to avoid opposite traffic if there's otherwise not enough space. Overtaking cyclists is only permitted if there's at least 1.5m side clearance possible.

Don't confuse them with “Protected Bike Lanes“, which offer much higher quality. The best – but degatory – translation for Schutzsstreifen might be “bicycle gutter”.

Opinion

Schutzsstreifen are unsuitable for modern cycle routes and a leftover from car centric planning. If there's not enough space for proper cycle paths, the road concept needs to be revised. This could be achieved by one way streets for motorized traffic, or limiting traffic to 30 km/h. Latter needs to be enforced by traffic calming, so that's it's not even possible to go faster than that. A mere sign will be overlooked, or ignored.