New cycling route brochure "Tour:D France" published
| Grand Départ
Presentation of the new cycling route brochure with the "Tour :D France" before the first test ride: Tour Director Christian Prudhomme, Mayor Thomas Geisel and the head of the traffic department Cornelia Zuschke
Many cyclists took part in the premier of the "Tour :D France" in historical costumes
The "Tour :D France" passes many sights of the state capital: Mayor Thomas Geisel and Tour Director Christian Prudhomme in front of the Schlossturm
The "Tour :D France" also passes Düsseldorf’s concert hall
The route of the "Tour :D France" also runs through parts of the city centre: here the group is turning into Carl-Theodor-Straße
Cycling in Düsseldorf at the Rhine can be so good: Mayor Thomas Geisel and Theresa Winkels, Project Manager of the Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017, ride through an avenue with the group of cyclists
The popular cycling brochure Tour D has had another addition to the family. 100 days before the start of the Tour de France in Düsseldorf, the Mayor Thomas Geisel, Tour Director Christian Prudhomme and the Councillor Cornelia Zuschke presented a new cycling plan on Saturday, 25 March. With the new "Tour :D France", the route of the first stage of the Grand Départ becomes a cycling tour for everyone.
The name of the Tour D, number 11, reveals its origin: the route is that of the 1st stage of the Tour de France 2017 – the individual time trials over 14 kilometres. The start and finish of the circuit is the trade fair, the organisation centre of the Grand Départ Düsseldorf 2017. However, the new map shows the route in the reverse direction to that of the Tour stage. This is safer for the everyday cyclists who don’t ride over blocked roads like the pros on Saturday, 1 July.
"The cycling route recommendations of the Tour D are an important contribution to the promotion of bicycle traffic in Düsseldorf. I am especially pleased to present the eleventh edition of the popular bike tour brochure today with the title 'Tour :D France'. This special tour gives people a feel for the route that the pros ride for the first stage of the Tour de France. On the route, the cyclists pass some of the sights of Düsseldorf, such as the Rhine Tower, the art academy, Königsallee and the Hofgarten", the Mayor explained.
"In order to promote bicycle traffic in Düsseldorf, the campaign 'RADschlag. Düsseldorf tritt an' started in Spring 2016. Alongside improving the conditions for cycling in the state capital, the name RADschlag (a wordplay which suggests both a turning wheel and a piece of advice) is also intended to encourage people to get out of their cars and onto their bikes. The new tour plan is a good example of this", explained the Councillor Cornelia Zuschke.
After the introductory words, the Mayor and the Councillor, accompanied by a colourful group of cyclists, set off to test ride the recommended route.
Since the new Tour :D France is especially also intended to address international visitors to the city, the plan is written in German and English. The new Tour :D France is available in the town hall, in the traffic management department am Hennekamp 45 and in the tourist information offices at Marktplatz and at the main station.