Redesign of cycle paths and footpaths in Rüdesheim am Rhein – a CSZ practical example

21. October 2025

The tourist board Fremdenverkehrsgesellschaft Rüdesheim am Rhein mbH is planning a comprehensive redesign of the cycle paths and footpaths between the train station and the Adlerturm tower. The project is intended not only to improve mobility and safety, but also to enhance the quality of life in the UNESCO World Heritage region in the long term. The focus is on high requirements and complex framework conditions.

Challenges: narrowness, gradients, and historic preservation.
The approximately 800-meter section runs between the edge of the Rhine bank and the railway embankment. The current condition is characterized by narrow, steep paths without fall protection, which severely restricts use by cyclists and pedestrians. Three railroad crossings and three underpasses, as well as listed elements, pose additional challenges for barrier-free planning. In addition, parts of the towpath are located in a flood zone and are therefore not permanently usable.

Project objectives: Safety, accessibility, and world heritage preservation.
The project has clearly defined objectives:

Safety and usability: A sufficiently dimensioned, stable, and safe cycle path and footpath for all user groups.
Flood protection: The new footpath and cycle path will run outside the flood zone in future.
Accessibility: The expansion will make the towpath accessible to people with limited mobility.
Design in keeping with the monument: Historical elements and integration into the World Heritage landscape are a high priority.

Planning: Sustainable design and innovative solutions.
A feasibility study included an in-depth analysis of the conditions relevant to the project. The listed buildings, including the two icebreakers, the Myriameterstein, and the entire ensemble with the roof structure on the Steiger 15 building, will be integrated into the concept, taking into account their historical value.
Due to the interdisciplinary requirements, an interdisciplinary team was involved:

Traffic planning: Durth Roos Consulting GmbH
Landscape architecture: Die LandschaftsArchitekten Bittkau – Bartfelder PartG mbB
Civil engineering: CSZ Ingenieurconsult GmbH & Co. KG
Hydraulic engineering: Ingenieurbüro Schumacher

Despite its high complexity, the project offers a unique opportunity to shape Rüdesheim in a future-oriented way and to enhance the region in a sustainable manner. It will bridge the gap between tradition and innovation, monument preservation and modern infrastructure, improving mobility and attractiveness along the Rhine in the long term.