Thousands of cyclists have taken part in a cycling demonstration in Berlin, in a bid to promote cycling safety and make the city’s streets safer. Road closures across Berlin allowed cyclists, including many children, to enjoy car-free roads for several hours. There were also traffic restrictions on two highways, giving riders a rare chance to cycle along Germany’s autobahn. Some cyclists have criticized Germany’s cycling policies in recent years, with concerns not enough funding is going towards cycling infrastructure. In recent years the annual event has attracted up to a quarter of a million cyclists.
Correction
00:51 Our reporter referred to 250,000 participants, a figure drawn from previous demonstrations. The police and organizers have since estimated that between 13,000 and 25,000 cyclists took part in Sunday’s event.
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Up to a quarter of a million cyclists are estimated to have taken to the streets of Berlin in a bid to promote cycling safety and make the city streets safer. Road closures across the German capital allowed cyclists, including many children, to enjoy car-free roads for several hours. There were also traffic restrictions on two highways, giving riders a rare chance to cycle along Germany’s autoban. Some cyclists have criticized Germany’s cycling policies in recent years with concerns not enough funding is going towards cycling infrastructure. Well, among those at the rally today was DW’s Matthew Moore. Normally, this boulevard in the heart of Berlin would be packed with cars heading in and out of the city, and you’d have to be very brave to get on your bike and head down here. However, today it looks and feels very different. And that’s because some 250,000 cyclists have taken over the streets in what some are calling the biggest cycling demonstration in the world. They’ve converged on the capital on more than 20 different routes covering some 2,000 km of roads. They’re doing so because they want to send a message to political leaders here in Berlin and across Germany to provide better transportation and mobility services for cyclists. Whether that’s designated cycle paths or designated cycle roads, essentially they just want to make the road safer for cyclists. Some will also surely be drawn to that rare opportunity to take over the streets and have that feeling or carefree ride on the asphalt without having to worry about cars. Well, Matthew Moore also spoke to cyclists at the Berlin rally to hear why they were taking to the streets. I love uh this demonstration. I love being here. It’s such a great atmosphere. Yeah, a lot of people are enjoying riding on a bike, but a lot of people are um afraid of biking. And I think everybody should bike and everybody should have the possibility to bike in Berlin. And I think that’s what everybody stands for. That’s what kind of we um came together to show that we want to um yeah, ride safely in Berlin. Yeah, the whole atmosphere is peaceful and everybody’s happy. And I mean, I haven’t seen so many kids on bikes. This also quite impressed me that it is possible to have a a positive traffic without cars and that we need more space and um yeah that’s the message I guess it is about protecting our climate making our cities more sustainable making them kids friendly making them more livable walkable bike friendly
23 Comments
You would never this many cyclists to show up in a demonstration on in Toronto, Canada. Embarrassing.
But you arrest people for saying 'Free Palestine' or protesting for a survivable future on the same roads
This is great! I hope Berlin becomes more bicyclist friendly (as well as the rest of Europe)
The future is self-propelled.
Berlin, gay as always.
Separated lanes and biking quadruples
I wonder what these cyclists drive in the winter…
Good, this is how Amsterdam started becoming a biking capital of EU
How did you get those number, the police says 13500 cyclists, the ADFC 25000 and your figure is 10 times higher? I thought the police numbers were a bit low, but this discrepancy is just way too much.
Fantatatic for health and and enviroment .and its so fanrastic 🚴🍺🇩🇰❤️
Berlin could be the greatest city in the world if it was a bicycle city.
I'm in Copenhagen and the cycling is wonderful and efficient.
I have been on a trip to amsterdam. The quality and extent of the bike infrastructure was insane! What a joy!
Every Sunday morning in Bogota (ciclovia)
Achtung Radweg!!! Radgang!
Germany always thirty years behind the Netherlands.
Reporter..You would have to be very brave to head down here..reality there are two cycle paths on that road which are on the pavement..not exactly risking your life 🤣🤣
Correction: At 0:51, our reporter referred to 250,000 participants, a figure drawn from previous demonstrations. The police and organisers have since estimated that between 13,000 and 25,000 cyclists took part in Sunday's event.
2:19 that helmet does not look healthy XD
With so much promotion of bike riding, what is going to happen to the petroleum and car industry? It is almost like the bike is out to replace cars and gasoline. And closing off the roads for a day? That is going to just allow more people to take up cycling. The large salaries of oil and automobile industry executives are threatened.
🎉
I wonder if the CEO,s of Audi and Co. sit within the Governing Cabinet???.
The pavement quality in Germany is fabulous. In USA we have special events that open up highways to a ccycling day or event, but the holes and bumps are scary and we don't ride any faster than usual.