By the way … – the Sunday Blick column: Is the Zurich road world championship in danger of being embarrassed over objections?

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The bicycle is just as much a part of the city of Zurich as the Sechseläuten, the Bahnhofstrasse, the crooked banks or the Züri-Geschnetzelte. Cyclists race past you at every red light, they meet you in every one-way street. The bicycle couriers meander through the columns like German winter holidaymakers through the crowds at the ski lift.

The bicycle density in red-green Zurich is perceived as greater than in China. Zurich employs a walking and cycling coordinator. More than 70 percent of households in the city own a bicycle. There are 813 kilometers of cycle paths in the city and 45,186 bicycle parking spaces. The 2030 Velo Strategy states that the future will be seen on two wheels.

Legendary Zuri butchers

There used to be the legendary Züri-Metzgete, a street race with famous names. For example, there is the open racecourse in Oerlikon, which used to be the big meeting point for the inhabitants of Gümmel on sultry summer evenings. There was the six-day race in the Hallenstadion with sports, but also with drunken nights and dimly lit bars. The Chaib district then gathered back at the Hallenstadion after curfew.

And there have also been three world cycling championships in Zurich so far. 1923, 1929 and 1946 with the victory of the local Hans Knecht. Big names have left their mark on the World Cup in Switzerland. In Mendrisio (2009) Cadel Evans became world champion. In Lugano (1996) Johann Museeuw, in Altenrhein (1983) Greg LeMond, in Mendrisio (1971) Eddy Merckx, in Bern (1961) Rik Van Looy and in Lugano (1953) Fausto Coppi.

“A cycling festival for everyone”

Switzerland is a cycling country, Zurich a cycling city. Now the 2024 Road World Championships will take place again in Zurich, with the goal of Sechseläutenplatz. The canton reports: “A cycling festival for all, with a legacy of sports and cycling promotion and inclusion that will continue beyond the event.”

But the issue of major sporting events in our country is a thorny one, as we also know from several Olympic candidacies. There are also objections to the World Cycling Championships. 70 (!) appeals were received. It is clear that the access roads for the hospitals must be guaranteed. If everyone is willing to compromise, there must be solutions.

An indictment against Switzerland

And the rest of the objections? There it is, as usual. Sports promotion yes, but personal restrictions no. In any case, it would be a sign of inadequacy for Switzerland if, because of the impending avalanche of lawsuits, this important event also had to be relinquished in the short term. Each bike masters the cliffs and makes its way through the city. There has to be a way for this cycling world championship.

If not, it wouldn’t just be a setback for Swiss sport. It is especially a disgrace to the cycling city of Zurich. A flat tire on two wheels.

Source : Blick