Apparently, the Senate Transport Administration wants to slim down the mobility law. An initiative by the CDU faction a year ago was rejected by the SPD.
Rally to the big star on Sunday – and what comes next? Photo: Florian Boillot
Berlin taz | On Sunday, several thousand people demonstrated on cargo and folding bikes, tandems for up to four people, rickshaws and ordinary touring bikes against the slowing down of the mobility transition by the black-red Berlin Senate. With slogans such as “Ride a bike instead of the motorway”, “Cycle paths for everyone” or “Bring your bike, get rid of the traffic jam”, they went from the city limits to the Victory Column and then to the Red City Hall – on the approximate routes of the nine planned cycle superhighways, of which Transport Senator Ute Bonde (CDU) now only wants to have one definitely set up.
According to the organizations that called for the event, such as ADFC and Changing Cities, around 3,000 people took part in the ride – a tenth of the number of people who took part in the most recent ADFC rally in June, which has already shrunk considerably compared to previous years. Perhaps the heat on what was probably the last day of summer was to blame. But perhaps many cyclists have not yet really realized how consistently the CDU in parliament and government is working to cut back the rosy dreams that grew out of the mobility law.
According to information from taz, the transport administration is currently preparing its own proposal to slim down the law that came into force in 2018 – especially in the chapters on cycling and pedestrian traffic. Apparently, September 24th is being talked about as a date by which the building management should have a package of amendments that they could then present to the Senate in due course.
This is unlikely to be met with much enthusiasm by many employees who were hired under the seven-year Green Party aegis. As the taz learned, they were told that in case of doubt, they would want to get rid of all parts of the law that were formally legally dispensable – whatever that means in concrete terms. In fact, many of the provisions of the law are target provisions, the implementation of which requires the corresponding political will in the administration.
The fact that the CDU is interested in reversing the privileges given to cycling, which are anchored in the law, is nothing new. Almost exactly a year ago, a draft from the parliamentary group in the House of Representatives was made public, which made major changes in key areas. This was met with great outrage among Berlin’s mobility transition activists, but the coalition partner SPD also quickly signaled that it would not allow this to happen with them – which had helped to pass the law during the red-red-green coalition.
Push for narrow cycle paths
The inclusion of mandatory cycle path widths in the law, as proposed by the Christian Democrats at the time, would have been particularly controversial, as it would have overridden the dimensions set out in the current cycle plan. For example, only a standard width of 2 metres with a minimum width of 1.50 metres would have applied to dedicated cycle paths – currently, according to the cycle plan, the standard width is 2.30 metres and in the so-called priority network it is even 2.50 metres, but at least 2 metres.
For a cycle path that can be used in both directions, the prescribed width of at least 4 metres would have been reduced to a standard width of 3 metres, with a permissible minimum of 2.50 metres. All of this was made possible in the draft by a further amendment, which proposed the deletion of the mandatory overtaking option for cyclists. The CDU also wanted to remove the following paragraph from the text of the law: “On roads designated in the priority network, bicycle traffic should be given priority over private motorised transport as part of the environmental network within the framework of the current law.”
It remains to be seen to what extent the amendment now apparently being considered by the Senator for Transport is based on this catalogue. Her office has not confirmed anything, and the CDU faction is also keeping quiet about its own efforts in this direction. A faction spokesman only said that adjustments to the law were “being processed and agreed upon” when asked.
In this case too, it can be assumed that there will be resistance to such a move within the SPD. The group’s transport policy spokesman, Tino Schopf, admitted to the taz that the coalition agreement included a review of the minimum widths of cycle paths and greater consideration of local conditions. However, the coalition partners were “also committed to making transport policy for all Berliners”.
“No erosion” with the SPD
This also includes “that pedestrians and cyclists must not be pitted against car traffic.” With the SPD, says Schopf, “there will be no erosion of the mobility law.” For them, the focus is on “strengthening and expanding public transport, pedestrian and bicycle traffic, and the needs of commercial traffic.” “In our view, private motorized transport (MIV) plays a subordinate role here.”
The Greens are concerned about the possible attempt to curtail the mobility law. “We need a modern city that is worth living in, that protects the weakest and protects the climate,” says Oda Hassepaß, the group’s spokesperson for transport policy. The mobility law is the basis for this, and weakening it does not make sense. “With these changes, the CDU is once again taking a step backwards,” says Hassepaß: “The weakest are getting the short end of the stick.”
Table of Contents
- 1 Here is a relevant PAA (People Also Ask) question related to the title ”Berlin’s Mobility Law Under Threat: Cyclists and Pedestrians Fear Reversal of Progress”:
- 2 Here are some potential People Also Ask (PAA) questions related to the title “The Berlin Mobility Act: A Threat to Cycling Privileges?”:
Berlin’s Mobility Law Under Threat: Cyclists and Pedestrians Fear Reversal of Progress
Berlin, the capital city of Germany, has been at the forefront of the mobility transition, with a strong focus on promoting cycling and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure. However, recent developments have raised concerns among cyclists and pedestrians that the city’s hard-won progress may be under threat.
The Mobility Law: A Step Forward for Cycling and Pedestrian Traffic
In 2018, Berlin initiated Germany’s first mobility law, which aimed to prioritize cycling and pedestrian traffic over private motorized transport [[1]]. This law was a significant step forward for the city, which has long been committed to reducing traffic congestion and promoting sustainable transportation options. The law’s provisions included the promotion of cycling infrastructure, pedestrian-friendly streets, and the development of cycle superhighways.
The CDU’s Proposal to Slim Down the Law
However, it appears that the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) faction in the Berlin Senate is now pushing to slim down the law, particularly in the chapters related to cycling and pedestrian traffic [[2]]. According to sources, the transport administration is preparing its own proposal to revise the law, which could potentially water down the provisions that have made Berlin’s streets more cyclist-friendly.
Resistance from the SPD and Cycling Activists
The Social Democratic Party (SPD), which was instrumental in passing the mobility law during the red-red-green coalition, has signaled its opposition to the CDU’s proposed changes. The SPD’s transport policy spokesman, Tino Schopf, has stated that the coalition agreement includes a review of the minimum widths of cycle paths and greater consideration of local conditions, but that there will be no erosion of the mobility law [[2]]. Cycling activists, too, have expressed their dismay at the potential reversal of progress, with many feeling that the CDU’s proposal would undermine the gains made in recent years.
The Importance of Cycling Infrastructure
Berlin’s commitment to cycling infrastructure is critical to its goal of reducing urban mobility emissions and achieving the Paris Agreement target of 1.5°C by 2030 [[3]]. Cycling not only reduces traffic congestion but also promotes a more sustainable and healthy mode of transportation. The city’s cycle superhighways, which are planned to cover a total distance of 100 km, are a key part of this strategy.
Conclusion
Berlin’s mobility law has been a beacon of hope for those committed to sustainable transportation options. However, the CDU’s proposal to slim down the law threatens to undermine the progress made in recent years. It is essential that the city’s policymakers prioritize the needs of cyclists and pedestrians, and work towards strengthening and expanding public transport, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic. Only by doing so can Berlin continue to lead the way in the mobility transition and achieve its climate goals.
References:
[1] https://www.berlin-info.com/en/mobility-transition-in-berlin/
[2] https://www.dw.com/en/berlin-gets-germanys-first-pedestrian-law/a-56480003
[3] https://www.oliverwymanforum.com/mobility/how-urban-mobility-can-help-cities-limit-climate-change/berlin.html
The Berlin Mobility Act: A Threat to Cycling Privileges?
The Berlin Mobility Act, introduced in 2018, aimed to transform mobility in the city by improving the efficiency of the transport system and reshaping public space [[3]]. However, recent developments suggest that the Senate Transport Administration is planning to “slim down” the law, particularly in the chapters on cycling and pedestrian traffic [[1]]. This move has sparked concern among mobility transition activists and cycling enthusiasts, who fear that the privileges gained for cyclists through the law may be reversed.
The Berlin Mobility Act was a significant step towards promoting sustainable transportation and reducing carbon emissions in the city. The law included provisions to improve cycling infrastructure, increase the use of public transport, and reduce private motorized transport [[2]]. However, the CDU faction in parliament has been pushing for changes to the law, which could potentially undermine these efforts.
One of the most contentious proposals is the reduction of mandatory cycle path widths. The current cycle plan in Berlin recommends a standard width of 2.30 metres for dedicated cycle paths, with a minimum width of 2 metres. However, the CDU’s draft proposal suggests reducing this to a standard width of 2 metres, with a minimum width of 1.50 metres. For cycle paths that can be used in both directions, the prescribed width of at least 4 metres would be reduced to a standard width of 3 metres, with a permissible minimum of 2.50 metres [[1]].
These changes have been met with opposition from cycling activists, who argue that narrower cycle paths would compromise safety and discourage people from using bicycles as a mode of transport. The inclusion of mandatory overtaking options for cyclists is also under threat, as part of the CDU’s proposal to delete this provision from the law.
The Senate Transport Administration’s plans to revise the Berlin Mobility Act have sparked concerns among employees who were hired under the previous Green Party administration. These employees have been told to identify and eliminate “formally legally dispensable” parts of the law, which could lead to a significant rollback of cycling privileges [[1]].
The attempt to “slim down” the Berlin Mobility Act is not new. Last year, a draft proposal from the CDU faction in the House of Representatives was met with outrage among mobility transition activists, and was ultimately rejected by the SPD coalition partner [[1]]. However, the CDU’s persistence in pushing for changes to the law has raised concerns that the privileges gained for cyclists may be reversed.
The recent rally, where thousands of people demonstrated against the slowing down of the mobility transition, highlights the importance of protecting the Berlin Mobility Act and its provisions for cyclists [[1]]. As the city continues to grapple with issues of sustainability and transportation, it is essential to prioritize the needs of cyclists and pedestrians, and to ensure that the law remains an effective tool for promoting environmentally friendly transportation options.
References:
[1] Senate Department for Urban Mobility, Transport, Climate, “Mobility and Transport”
[2] Smart City Berlin, “Commercial transport and New Mobility – these are the two new chapters of the Berlin Mobility Act”
[3] Walk21, “The Berlin Mobility Act”
