International Car Free Day in Berlin
Play-streets instead of car traffic and free public transport - For the third time, the capital is participating in the International Car Free Day on 22 September. In this way, the Senate Department wants to show a Berlin that belongs to the citizens and the environment.
Worldwide, actions on the topic of more sustainable mobility will take place next Thursday, 22 September, as part of "World Car Free Day". Berlin will once again take part in the initiative and invite its citizens for one day to leave their cars behind and enjoy life in the neighbourhoods under a different light. A ticket-free day on public transport is planned, as well as a variety of citizens' initiatives.
From 0 a.m. to midnight, Berliners, commuters and tourists will be able to use all buses and trains free of charge. Throughout the city - according to Transport Senator Bettina Jarasch (Greens) - citizens will have the opportunity to travel greener and rethink what role cars should play in their lives. Unfortunately, the free public transport offer applies to the AB fare zone. Therefore, all journeys in area C are excluded from it, for which regular tickets remain necessary.
In addition to free buses and trains, the capital's plans for a day without cars are based on projects from civil society. Because this year, the car-free day is once again a day of play and neighbourhood streets. In all twelve districts, 37 sections of the secondary road network will be closed to car and bicycle traffic - and transformed into inhabitable urban space for a day. From games for children to places to linger among neighbours. This is how the districts and the supporting senate administration want to make Berlin's neighbourhoods a new experience.
The aim of the day is, of course, not only to show the more sociable side of the capital, but also to invite all citizens to think more environmentally and socially. The success of the international initiative, as well as similar city-owned projects - such as the much-discussed car-free Friedrichstraße - could show that a Berlin with fewer cars means more space for its citizens. And at the same time makes an important positive contribution to environmental protection.
It is true that car traffic on the streets of the capital is already strictly regulated. Especially within the S-Bahn ring, the most polluting vehicles are driven out of the inner city area by the environmental zone. With the car-free day, however, Berliners will experience in practice what the city could look like if politicians decided to go one step further - and ban unnecessary car traffic regardless of emission classes.