Hall. DB. At the future station in Halle (Saale), Deutsche Bahn (DB) launches smart offers for cyclists and beautifies the station with art. Two automated bicycle parking towers on the station forecourt now offer more security for bikes and will be tested by customers until the end of the year. In addition, travelers and visitors can look forward to a bicycle repair column and a new art project. The "Wonderful Women Wall" brings more color to the station and immortalizes 14 important women who were born or worked in Halle.
"I am pleased that with the two bicycle towers we have brought a concept to Halle that is unique in Germany and have thus set the course for a bicycle-friendly station. Together with the redesign of the forecourt, our station has not only become a real eye-catcher, but also a sign of appreciation – both for cyclists and for 14 unique women from Halle," says Karsten Kammler, Head of Station Management Halle (Saale).
Lord Mayor Dr. Bernd Wiegand: "The promotion of cycling is an important part of the traffic turnaround in the city of Halle (Saale) as a member of the network Working Group of Bicycle-Friendly Municipalities. Currently, the city is continuously implementing its plan of measures for the bicycle traffic concept. Next year, for example, construction will begin on another hotel and commercial building on Riebeckplatz, into which a bicycle parking garage with around 350 parking spaces will be integrated. In the northeastern area of Hans-Dietrich-Genscher-Platz, around 55 new bicycle racks will be installed by the beginning of 2022. The innovative bicycle parking towers and art project complement the municipality's efforts to significantly improve bicycle parking at the central station. They also support the city's overall concept for the further urban development of Riebeckplatz and exemplify the excellent cooperation with Deutsche Bahn."
The two parking garages offer secure and weather-protected parking spaces for a total of twelve bicycles or e-bikes, which are stored one above the other using elevator technology. Those traveling with helmets and luggage can also stow them in the compartments. The bicycle towers were developed by the Swiss company V-Locker and are a pilot project for the time being. Citizens of Halle were able to register for the test phase, which will run until the end of the year. Starting next year, the smart parking system will be available to all bike commuters. Station visitors can already use the new bicycle service station on Hans-Dietrich-Genscher-Platz to pump up tires or make minor repairs.
Wonderful Women Wall" art project at the train station
In recent weeks, Freiraumgalerie | Kollektiv für Raumentwicklung redesigned the forecourt below the tracks. The abstractly painted columns refer to a total of 14 female personalities from various centuries who have rendered outstanding services to Halle. Among them are, for example, the doctor and first honorary citizen of the city Marianne Witte, the composer Louise Caroline Reichardt and the para-canoeist Anja Adler. With this art action, the members of the Freiraumgalerie continue their project "Wonderful Women Wall", with which they want to draw attention in public space to the special achievements of women from the past and present.
At the future station in Halle (Saale), DB has already tested new services and sustainable offerings for travelers and visitors in recent months. These include two solar benches with integrated USB ports, the Too Good to Go app, and the virtual environmental rally that allows travelers to learn more about the environmentally friendly measures being taken at the station. Since August, a new innovative route guidance system has been showing passengers the way.
Halle (Saale) central station is one of 16 future-oriented stations in Germany. DB is testing new concepts and services here to increase the satisfaction of travelers and station visitors. DB is investing a total of around 1 million euros in the Halle (Saale) station. All stations of the future will be powered by 100 percent green electricity.