Before getting down to the nitty-gritty of the bicycle city, building officer thomas beese spoke at the first meeting of the new mobility senate about basic principles of mobility in bamberg. His status report was meant to be a kind of handover. Because the topic of traffic development is now in the hands of the second mayor jonas glusenkamp (grunes bamberg). At the end of the meeting, there were a number of resolutions to make the city more bike-friendly. At the beginning, glusenkamp had a "good tone of interaction in the senate, which must always be characterized by mutual respect", reminded.

In his report, beese reminded us, among other things, of the goals of the bamberg traffic development plan. This also includes the reduction of the share of car traffic in the city of bamberg from more than 40 percent (2015) to 25 percent by 2030. "So even then, many people will still be able to drive a car." The building officer referred to the limited space in the city. On the fact that there is no basic right to parking spaces in the city. And on the importance of the bicycle for many bambergers. Of course, the city does not only have bicyclists in mind.

Beese’s new citizens’ initiative "bamberg.Together.Mobile" the fact that the children’s movement has little to do with children became abundantly clear. When the image of a corona demonstration appeared in his presentation, he immediately explained that he did not want to equate these movements with each other. And yet he also sees the danger of "obscure fellow travelers" in the mobility discussion. This was opposed by city councilors martin pohner (FDP) and andreas triffo (BBB), who were both among the first signatories of the BI."This is not right. We also want to improve the quality of life in the city, but what we do must be accepted and recognized by all citizens, underlined triffo. Pohner noted a "remarkable autobashing on the part of the administration" firmly. It is good and important that people who are of a different opinion also organize themselves.

Glusenkamp demanded not to create additional ditches, but to work together on a traffic turnaround far from the next elections. "Of course, we have to take all the people with us", emphasized christian hader (grunes bamberg).

He is in favor of equal rights for all means of transport, but he says bamberg is still a long way from achieving this goal. Not every measure is always convenient and opportune, but if in the end the benefits for everyone are greater than the restrictions, people are also prepared to change. "Let’s tackle the turnaround", he demanded. In view of the slight increase in the number of accidents, hader would like to see even more mutual respect among all road users.

"Prosperity also needs mobility, declared franz-wilhelm heller (CSU). All the decisions to be made had to be taken with care and with the agreement of the burgers. "It’s not about fighting the car, but about creating alternatives", emphasized the SPD group chairman klaus stieringer. "We have to deal with the future."

As far as the bicycle city resolutions are concerned, hader felt it was time to give something back to the people who have made bamberg the city with the highest percentage of bicycle traffic in bavaria. Or as the grunen city councilman put it: "where there’s a will, there’s a bike path."

Two traffic trials become permanent solutions

The traffic trials at markusplatz (separate guidance of bicycle traffic on protective lanes) and in friedrichstrabe (two-meter-wide bicycle lane with solid line) are to become permanent according to the will of the mobility senate. In the case of friedrichstrabe, only andreas triffo (BBB) voted against it; he sees "an imbalance between the problem and the benefit" and refers to considerable traffic jam. However, according to bicycle representative dagmar spangenberg, the transport authority has so far only noticed minor delays at this location. The mobilitat senate unanimously approved the widening of the existing protective strip in konigstrabe (section kettenbruckstrabe to letzengasse). For the bicycle lane peuntstrabe stadteinwarts (section trimbergstrabe

Until marienbrucke) with simultaneous relocation of the bus stops (stadteinwarts from the curve into the straight, stadtauswarts two stops are combined into one at marienplatz) the mobilitatssenat has spoken out against the votes of triffo and anna niedermaier (CSU). For the section from egelseestrabe to trimbergstrabe, the administration is to discuss the plans with the citizens’ association, residents and traffic associations – and then report again. "We need to find out a lot more about what works. There are three- to four-story apartment buildings without garages, and the parking spaces can’t be moved so easily", says franz-wilhelm heller (CSU).

According to the administration, the lost license spaces, nine from peuntstrabe and six at marienplatz, can be used in the "old vocational school" license area be compensated. Also a partial area of the finance office parking lot could be used if necessary – but only in the period from 18 to 5.45 o’clock.

According to the senate’s decision, the possibility of additional replacement parking spaces for residents is to be examined once again. The mobilitat senate has also given its blessing to the plans for the bicycle facilities on the regensburger ring (section mubstrabe to schweinfurter strabe). However, a two-meter-wide bicycle lane is not possible here, as otherwise the minimum width for the remaining lane for bus traffic would not be met. The measure cost about 20,000 euros and could be implemented this summer (assuming the budget is approved).

The senate also decided (against the votes of triffo, heller and anna niedermaier) to redesign the kaulbergfub. The handicapped parking lot there and two short-term parking spaces will be moved away. An extended pedestrian zone should create a more comfortable entrance to the pile square. "We have already allowed the cyclists to cross there. Now there is more security", says sebastian niedermaier (SPD).

CSU man heller sees this quite differently. In view of several open-air bar areas, groups gathering there and some cyclists entering very quickly, he predicts: "this will be the most dangerous place in all of bamberg." The initially desired speed limit of 20 bergauarts was removed from the draft resolution – because according to ines schellmann of the bamberg-city police department, such signage would not be possible at this location. Overall, however, the police were able to support the redesign at kaulbergfub.

Instead of speed 20 should now but "attention cyclists"-signs uphill and downhill sensitize motorists. The mobility senate has decided (against triffo’s vote), the trial designation of the bicycle axis luitpoldbrucke – wunderburg as a bicycle road and the administration with the implementation bauftragen. In addition, a concept for opening up the erlichstrabe to cyclists in both directions is to be drawn up. A recommendation has also been made to the finance senate to release the entire budget of 288,200 euros that is currently blocked – if the city council agrees. Without this addition, heller had described the proposal as "eyewash" because: "at the moment the funds can not be released at all."Fo

COMMENT by stefan fobel

Not everyone has to like everything

Not everything can stay the same in bamberg, especially when it comes to traffic policy. Respect is due to those who work to reduce exhaust fumes, improve traffic flow and enhance safety. At least understanding is also due to those who do not feel involved in the traffic turnaround. Not everyone has to like everything that contradicts their personal mobilitatsentwurf. When such positions are bundled in citizens’ initiatives, it makes it easier to address politicians and administrators directly.

In this respect, glusenkamp’s offer to speak to the BI is an expression of sovereignty, which the BI should accept just as confidently. What initiatives can make possible and what they can prevent is known not only to those in the new city council who are familiar with the wheel decision and muna. The fact that the experienced and professionally so knowledgeable top official beese here without necessity for annoyance at the bicycle city critics provides, surprises yet. In bamberg in particular, there is plenty to argue about and even polemicize on the subject of mobility.

You can approach a citizens’ initiative, whose first signatories include restaurateurs, entrepreneurs and six city council members, with arguments, you can try to convince them, or you can ignore them.

But if you don’t take them seriously and indirectly equate them with conspiracy theorists, their position will become even stronger.

The post Senate clears (bike) paths appeared first on Loan.Tentcitiestoolkit.

Jerks in cars? The problems with the electronic emergency call assistant "ecall concern next to the new "VW golf other car models from the group. According to information from company sources, the "audi" and "skoda and "seat" similar difficulties – at the moment this is being intensively examined.

The new editions of the "audi A3, "seat leon" and "skoda octavia" based on the same basic construction kit as the "golf 8. Cause of possible failures is said to be a malfunction of the software. For the "golf and "octavia a delivery stop is already in place.

Audi, seat and skoda: cars to be recalled soon?

Over the weekend, audi stated that so far the "phenomenon with the new A3" could not be explained do not adjust exactly. "We continue to analyze, also because there are minor differences in hardware and software." the trade journal automobilwoche said a spokesman for the ingolstadt subsidiary: "the basic assumption that corresponding audi models could also be affected is correct."

At "seat at this early stage of the analysis, we are evaluating the details and working on a solution."

The new skoda octavia will also be tested for malfunctions of the "ecall" investigates. Here – as with the golf – deliveries have already been interrupted according to the czech sister brand. On friday (15. May 2020), it had become known that "volkswagen" was must be prepared for a recall of the new golf version that has just been launched. During internal investigations, unreliable data transmission to the control unit was noticed in individual vehicles. The function of the emergency call assistant could therefore not be fully guaranteed.

Corona crisis: demand for cars slumps

A decision of the "kraftfahrt-bundesamt (KBA)" (federal motor transport authority) a recall and necessary software update is expected in the coming days. Until further notice "VW" supplies the "golf 8" therefore no longer out. Production will continue for the time being – but all new cars have now been placed in stock for the time being, according to reports from the group environment. This could further exacerbate the gross sales problems. As a result of the corona crisis, demand has collapsed, car dealerships have been closed for long periods, and in some locations there is a backlog of finished new cars.

The "VW"-works council warns of further jolts for the "golf-production at the wolfsburg parent plant. The current underutilization of capacity with several canceled shifts could get even worse.

The employee representatives are therefore calling for an additional mass model to be established at the headquarters in the medium term. The golf is considered the most important product of the largest german industrial group. Even before its launch, there had been delays with the electronic equipment.
Meanwhile, the debate about the controversial payment of the dividend is gaining momentum.

According to information from the hannoversche allgemeine zeitung volkswagen still plans to pay out around three billion euros to shareholders for 2019. However, it was pointed out internally that a new evaluation could not be completely ruled out after the postponement of the annual general meeting.

Minister president and co-supervisor stephan weil (SPD) pointed out that the control committee would deal with the issue of dividends again as soon as the date for the shareholders' meeting had been set. Lower saxony is the second-largest "VW" with 20 percent-shareholders. According to previous dividend plans, the state received 383 million euros.

The post Audi, seat and skoda: mass car recall looming? appeared first on Loan.Tentcitiestoolkit.

Concord is 40 years old: the company, which once had its headquarters in stadtsteinach, is now part of the jane group in barcelona. For a long time, concord has been producing not only child seats, but also cars and accessories.
Exactly 40 years ago, the head of the storchenmuhle company – heinz-joachim kauffmann – founded the concord company. It was originally based in gefrees and was to focus mainly on building child seats. It was not until later that concord set up its headquarters in the stadtsteinach industrial area.
"The seats were completely different back then, recalls barbara wohlfahrt, the assistant to the management, and shows a blue seat made of imitation leather in the exhibition. It was simply anchored to the back seat – the isofix fastening system, side impact protection and other features were not yet known at that time.
But even model number two focused on comfort for the little ones: the seats were softly upholstered. For many years, colorful designs and animal cushions were the hallmarks of concord seats. In the meantime the demands of the customers have changed. Seats should adapt to the interior of the car.
Today, the focus when buying car seats is on the i-size standard, explains thore noll, international sales manager at jane. I-size stands for sixfold safety. The seats are fastened in the car with isofix. They take into account the size of the children, no longer the weight. "The rear-facing seats are safer", says noll and shows the latest generation seating system.
Not only babies drive against the direction of travel, but also toddlers. "This backward driving is simply safer because it minimizes the risk of crushing the neck vertebrae in an accident", says noll. And to ensure that this safety is actually maintained in practice, even on short distances, concord’s seats can no longer be rotated. "The most secure system is of no use if it is used incorrectly", so noll. The seats are tested in the company’s own safety laboratory. "That’s certainly an advantage over other manufacturers." Noll recommends that children up to four years old should drive backwards.
"In the latest generation of seats, design and safety are harmonized with each other. The seats must match the design of the cars. We couldn’t inspire consumers with animal pillows anymore," recalls, female noll. In the future, the company would like to focus on the production of car seats as well.
But increasingly important for concord is also the sale of accessories. Concord has also set itself the goal of placing jane strollers in germany as well. "But it is not so easy. In germany, heavy, coarse baby carriages are still in vogue; in other countries, the carriages are smaller. They are collapsible", so noll.
15 people are currently still working at the former company headquarters in stadtsteinach. "We have the customer service here, the back office and all repairs end up in stadtsteinach", says barbara wohlfahrt. There is also a factory sale.

The post For 40 years, seats for young players have been the focus here appeared first on Loan.Tentcitiestoolkit.

The aorta plays a central role in the human body because it connects the heart with all other organs and supplies them with oxygen-rich blood. According to a press release from the university of erlangen, when surgical interventions have to be performed on the aorta, the physicians pay attention not only to the blood vessel itself, but also to the fact that the organs that depend on it are not damaged. For his research on organ protection in the context of aortic arch surgery, dr. Andre ruffer, senior physician at the pediatric cardiac surgery department of erlangen university hospital, now the franz kohler prize, awarded by the german society for thoracic and fibrosurgery (DGTHG).
The DGTHG regularly awards the franz kohler prize at its annual meeting in recognition of outstanding work in the field of organ protection, particularly in cardiology. The prize is endowed with 7500 euros and is sponsored by the dr. Franz kohler chemie gmbh donated. The call supports ruffer's further research in pediatric heart surgery.

The post Prize for erlangen researchers appeared first on Loan.Tentcitiestoolkit.

Bamberg – melina mahmoodi probably did not expect it. When she hands over a picture to her art teacher in the hallway shortly before the end of school, the student from the erlos middle school sees her chances of winning the painting competition of the lions club as rather slim. The format of her drawing was actually too small, and the competition among the students was fierce. But on thursday morning, when her placard was hung over a piece of paper with the words "first place" on it is removed, the sixth-grader is thrilled.
She accepts her prize to thunderous applause. "The picture shows how people of all countries, religions and skin colors live together peacefully", melina mahmoodi explains her winning motive. This one shows a dove of peace, symbols and people of all countries hugging the earth.
The peace poster competition takes place every year all over the world. The theme this time was "the future of peace". 300,000 young people around the world put their thoughts and ideas on paper for this project.
Melina came to germany from iran with her family just under a year ago. Besides her mother tongue and german, she also speaks english. This could be helpful. She has qualified for both the bavarian and the german final rounds. If her picture is convincing, the schoolgirl will travel to the UN in new york next year with her companion and the winners from the other countries.
There she could present her small poster on very rough international stage.

The post World peace in a small format appeared first on Loan.Tentcitiestoolkit.

Pfarrweisach – subtropical temperatures prevailed at last year’s TSV pfarrweisach volleyball tournament, but this year it was a completely different story. So the organizer decided at short notice, due to the unstable weather, to move the tournament to the gymnasium to avoid injuries on the slippery track. In the end, this was the right decision, especially since light rain showers started again and again in the afternoon.
Six hobby teams, mostly from the pfarrweisach and ebern areas, had gathered to determine the tournament winner. Including "jader bull", a team of the girls of the country youth salmsdorf. The mode provided that in each team at least two ladies had to stand. It was everyone against everyone with a total of 15 games, two sets of ten minutes each.
Good five hours flew the balls, where the fun of this sport and the good mood had been paramount. But a certain ambition was not to be overlooked, which could be observed again and again during the ball exchanges.
Hilmar prinzbach and his hard-working helpers from the volleyball team provided exemplary tournament management, joining forces to "redirect" the tournament from the lawn to the sports hall without any problems.
Prinzbach also performed the award ceremony in the evening, where all teams received certificates and a bottle of sparkling wine, and the podium winners were treated to a hearty snack and a crate of beer.
The final ranking: 1. "The "lumberjacks 16 points, 2. "Larrys" 12, 3. "Hauptsach’ druber" 12, 4. "Ganseblumchen" 10, 5. "Hardwood" (last year’s winner) 8, 6. "Jader bull" 2.

The post “Holzfaller” secure the tournament victory appeared first on Loan.Tentcitiestoolkit.

The samples taken give no cause for concern, as prefect pierre-andre durand said at a press conference on friday morning. There were no casualties in the fire. The cause of the fire initially remained unclear. Schools and daycare centers in the region closed on friday. The facilities are scheduled to reopen on monday after basic cleaning. The prefecture asked the public to clean rubbish-contaminated surfaces with water only.

The fire was completely extinguished on thursday evening, according to the authorities. A gigantic smoke column had previously risen from the chemical plant. French media reported huge flames and explosions at the factory of the lubrizol company, which manufactures additives for oils.

According to the authorities, the factory in normandy belongs to the so-called seveso category of hazardous sites that are subject to special monitoring. In 1976, a devastating chemical accident occurred in the italian town of seveso near milan.

The post Factory fire in rouen: no hazardous substances released appeared first on Loan.Tentcitiestoolkit.

Balanced voices

"The atmosphere is very balanced and harmonious, and everyone always does their best to ensure that this continues to be the case" , praised choir director carmen wich. She also expressed confidence "that this can continue for quite a long time".
Secretary adele magin recalled all dates and events of the past year, and the list was quite impressive. With well over 20 appointments we were quite busy. Among other things, there were birthday parties, song and honorary evenings, as well as song contributions at the kerwa and in church services. The benefit concert for the opening of the new kindergarten in the mangersreuth church was of course supported by the club with pleasure.
Financially, the singing club also has nothing to worry about. This was stated by the head treasurer hannelore wich in her detailed report.
In the end, everyone agreed: it will definitely continue as long as this is somehow possible. The singers don’t want to be deprived of the pleasure of singing.
Singing hour is by the way every wednesday at 20 o’clock in the "hubertushohe", guests are always welcome.

The post Singing is simply fun appeared first on Loan.Tentcitiestoolkit.

In the past decade, documented acts of violence against children in crisis areas have nearly tripled, according to a report by unicef, the u.N. Children’s agency. A "deadly decade" for children is coming to an end, unicef announced monday night.

Since 2010, a total of 170.000 serious abuses of children in crisis areas have been proven – an average of 45 per day. This includes, for example, killings, muzzling, sexual violence, kidnappings or attacks on schools or hospitals.

In 2018, the united nations reported 24.000 such acts – almost three times as many as in 2010, partly because more is being done to record and verify them. "Conflicts around the world last longer, unleash more bloodshed and cost more young lives," said unicef chief henrietta fore. Children in syria, the congo and yemen, among other places, are currently in a particularly bad situation. Children’s charity calls for better protection of children in crisis zones worldwide.

The post Un: “deadly decade” for children in crisis areas appeared first on Loan.Tentcitiestoolkit.

A badly injured tortoiseshell rides a lego wheelchair through the clinic at the maryland zoo in baltimore after armor surgery. The injured animal was found in a park by a zoo employee in july and brought to the clinic.

After the successful operation two months ago, the zoo team developed the unusual wheelchair together with a lego enthusiast friend of theirs. "The wheels allow the tortoiseshell maximum freedom of movement". The lego is light and changeable. This gives us room for maneuver," zoo director ellen bronson, who is responsible for animal health, told the german press agency.

"The tortoiseshell had a broken abdominal shell. It’s unusual for turtles to be injured only on the underside," bronson said. Since the intervention, the shell has been held together by metal plates, clamps and wires.

Bronson and her team are pleased with the healing process. Nevertheless, the complete healing will take about a year. "As long as the turtle remains with us. Then the animal will be released back into the park," said bronson. In the meantime, the tortoiseshell no longer needs medication and is preparing for hibernation. "She lives in the grapevine and is very active. Apart from the fractures, there is no difference to healthy animals."

Baltimore zoo conducts long-term studies and monitors wild turtle behavior. According to bronson, the zoo team had already discovered the then healthy tortoiseshell in 2000 and fitted it with a transmitter. Therefore the animal could be recognized now.

The post Tortoises on their way to the zoo clinic in a lego wheelchair appeared first on Loan.Tentcitiestoolkit.