Bernburg. Seven and a half times round the equator: 300,560 kilometres in 21 days. However, that’s still 20 per cent short of the distance to the moon. Exactly 1,436 residents of the Salzland region took part in the STADTRADELN cycle challenge in the district between 14 June and 4 July, clocking up 23,784 cycle journeys. By leaving their cars at home, they prevented the emission of 49 tonnes of climate-damaging CO₂. “That’s a strong result to start with. In sport, after a well-deserved award ceremony, you’d quickly resume training and set new goals and challenges.” Now, District Administrator Markus Bauer is no coach, and everyday cycling is anything but a competitive sport, but as patron of this year’s campaign in the Salzlandkreis, he is naturally also thinking about continuing the initiative next year as he reviews the results.
The Salzlandkreis had invited the campaign partners to say thank you, share experiences and honour the participants deemed most successful from the district’s perspective. In the district-wide ranking of towns, Bernburg came out well ahead with almost 125,000 kilometres cycled, whilst the local Volksbank topped the team rankings. The “Regenbogen” nursery in Hohenerxleben and the Carolinum Grammar School in Bernburg are the nursery and secondary school in the district with the most active cyclists – 46 and 30 respectively had given their all for their respective teams. Matthias Bönicke from Zappendorf proved to be the individual participant with the highest kilometre total. He alone cycled 2,209 kilometres during the campaign period, as he almost always does, cycling to and from work in Bebitz almost every day. As a reward, he received a Salzland box, whilst the two educational institutions were each awarded a trophy and a certificate from the district.
“We’ve got off to a great start thanks to our many active supporters. Thank you to everyone who took part; my respect and congratulations to those who stood out with their performances. Next time, we’ll also make sure that primary schools join in and come and collect their trophy from us.” The District Administrator therefore sees room for improvement. For him, there’s no question that the event will continue next year, ideally under a joint banner: “Cycling together with the towns of Aschersleben, Bernburg, Calbe, Schönebeck and Staßfurt – and whoever else joins in. The Salzland Cycling Day 2027 will mark the start. This way, we’ll reach lots of people who are keen on cycling and who compete for their region, either in teams or individually. With our involvement in this international campaign, absolutely everyone in the Salzlandkreis can take part.”
For this year’s patron, Markus Bauer, the joint initiative with the participating towns in the district is certainly a sporting competition, but it is so much more than that. Together with its local authorities, the district is sending a strong message in favour of climate-friendly mobility, health and a better quality of life, entirely in line with its strategy for the future. The campaign brings people together. “It is my stated aim to make cycling throughout the Salzlandkreis permanently more attractive, safer and a more natural part of daily life – both in everyday life and at leisure,” explains the District Administrator.