400 Parents Demand: This Street Must Be Safer for Their Children
Munich, February 1, 2026 – The school route to the Hanselmannstraße elementary school is deemed unsafe by many parents. A school crossing guard has initiated a petition, demanding that the city take urgent action to improve safety. The petition, supported by approximately 400 parents, was handed over to ÖDP (Ecological Democratic Party) leader Tobias Ruff.
School Crossing Guard Highlights Dangers on Schleißheimer Straße
Every morning, from Monday to Friday, Stefanie Touret stands at Curt-Mezger-Platz in Milbertshofen, assisting elementary school children across the street. For three years, from 7:30 to 8:00 AM, she has observed the daily challenges. Touret emphasizes that her primary concern is not just motorists but also cyclists, due to the current traffic planning.
“In the half-hour I’m on the street, I must shout ‘Caution, cyclists!’ at least eight times,” Touret explains. The main issue lies with children having to cross a bike path to reach a pedestrian traffic light on Schleißheimer Straße. Touret believes a simple solution would be a bicycle traffic light before the pedestrian crossing.
Parents Demand Comprehensive Solutions for Multiple Streets
The petition, which has gathered around 400 signatures, was presented to ÖDP leader Tobias Ruff. Ruff plans to submit a motion to the city council this week, urging the implementation of the petition’s demands.
Beyond the bicycle traffic light, parents are advocating for additional safety measures. Britta Rottmann, a mother whose nine-year-old daughter uses the Schleißheimer Straße route, highlighted two other critical areas: Hanselmannstraße and Keferloher Straße.
- Hanselmannstraße: Parents are calling for Hanselmannstraße, where the elementary school, several childcare facilities, and a playground are located, to be designated as a play street. Rottmann described the street as often congested with parked cars, making it challenging for children to cross safely. She recounted a recent incident where a girl was hit by a car and had to be taken away by emergency services.
- Keferloher Straße: The petition also requests that Keferloher Straße be transformed into a bicycle street. Rottmann noted that the existing bike paths are narrow and discontinuous, forcing cyclists into traffic. “I wouldn’t let my children cycle there alone – and even as an adult, it feels dangerous,” she stated. Parents believe that a bicycle street designation would compel motorists to exercise greater caution.
ÖDP Supports Calls for Improved Cycling Infrastructure
ÖDP leader Tobias Ruff expressed full understanding for the petition. He pointed out that most bike paths in Milbertshofen are too narrow, and the traffic infrastructure is predominantly designed for cars. “Especially from west to east, it is difficult to get around safely by bike in Milbertshofen,” Ruff commented, highlighting that Milbertshofen is a particularly child-rich district. The area around Curt-Mezger-Platz alone has two schools, several kindergartens, and nurseries.
Ruff also noted his perception that the green-red city council tends to focus on expanding cycling infrastructure in the city center. Through his motion, he aims to shift this focus towards districts like Milbertshofen.
City Council to Consider Petition and Proposed Measures
The city council is expected to review the petition and the proposed solutions in the coming weeks. The outcome of the motion submitted by Tobias Ruff will determine the next steps in addressing the parents’ concerns regarding road safety for children in Milbertshofen.
The initiative underscores a broader community effort to prioritize pedestrian and cyclist safety, particularly in areas with high concentrations of children. The parents and the ÖDP hope that their collective voice will lead to tangible improvements in the district’s traffic infrastructure.
