Berlin soon car-free
The idea of car-free city centres has been heard more and more often in recent years. But apart from a few individual streets, they have not yet been implemented. Although there are cities that have introduced a car-free Sunday, most cities are still far from a permanent ban on cars. If it were up to the initiative for the "Berlin car-free" referendum, the Berlin government coalition of the SPD, the Greens and the Left Party should decide to ban all cars within the S-Bahn ring.
In Paris and Copenhagen, there are initial approaches to ban motorised traffic from the city centre altogether. In Paris, the inner four arrondissements and other parts of the city are to be closed to individual traffic. this is already the case on the first Sunday of every month, just like in Bordeaux.
In Berlin, an initiative wants to ban traffic within the S-Bahn ring. The goal is to noticeably reduce noise and exhaust fumes in the city with its total of 1.4 million registered passenger cars and to increase the quality of life for everyone. The impetus for this is a collection of signatures. In recent months, the initiators have collected more than 50,000 signatures for a 48-page draft law, which is currently being examined by the Senate. The draft law provides for a general ban on cars within the S-Bahn ring, which also applies to environmentally friendly electric cars. According to the draft, every resident of Berlin can claim the right to use a car twelve times a year: for moving house, for example, or to go on holiday. Anyone who uses a car a second time and is caught is to pay an incredible 100,000 euros. Of course, the police, fire brigade, ambulance and similar services are exempt from the driving ban, as they are all allowed to drive freely. Public transport will of course also have access everywhere. For the transport and care of people in need of help, it should also continue to be possible to participate in social life. They should be given a special permit to be picked up and taken home.
Another idea envisages car-reduced roads: There, the maximum speed would be only 20km/h. These roads are intended only for cars and motorbikes with electric drives and, of course, for electric taxis. However, all vehicles that are eligible will need a tamper-proof sticker.
To push the project further, the initiators have three months to collect another 175,000 signatures. After all, these are the prerequisite for a referendum. In addition, the people of Berlin still have to be convinced, because according to the polls it still looks as if there is no majority for this. If there is no car-free zone, it is probably only a matter of time before stricter driving bans are imposed on Berlin's inner city.