The Greens parliamentary group leader Bettina Jarasch accuses the SPD and CDU of endangering cyclists and other road users. With their transport policy plans, “black and red are apparently saying goodbye to Vision Zero, because without safe bike paths and a 30 km/h speed limit as far as possible, there will always be more fatal accidents,” said the still traffic senator to the Tagesspiegel.
Vision Zero describes the goal that in the future there will be no more fatalities or serious injuries on the roads. It is enshrined in the Mobility Act passed by the SPD, Left and Greens in 2018.
The coalition agreement between the CDU and SPD presented last Monday states: “We stand by the principle of Vision Zero. That is why we are planning a road safety concept that takes all road users into account.” The possible coalition wants to increase road safety in particular “at risk areas”. Black-Red wants to “rehabilitate existing bike paths and set up safe bike lanes”. Separate bike lanes should also be set up, taking local conditions into account.
Demonstration against black and red traffic policy
The CDU and SPD want to review the minimum widths provided for in the cycling plan. One will not “complete 2.30 meter wide cycle paths against the will of many residents, which in the end hardly anyone uses,” said Wegner at the presentation of the coalition agreement. The parties also reject a blanket expansion of 30 km/h zones.
Criticism of this also comes from the Changing Cities association, which is committed to expanding the safe bicycle infrastructure in Berlin. The coalition agreement is “a departure from the priority given to walking, cycling and public transport, which the Mobility Act demands,” according to a statement. In the future, “the car should be prioritized again,” the club fears.
On Saturday afternoon, the association called for a demonstration “against the dismantling of the mobility law by the future coalition”, in which around 250 people took part, according to the police.
That’s a step backwards for those who depend on their car.
Bettina Jarasch, leader of the Greens parliamentary group
Green politician Bettina Jarasch is meanwhile also criticizing further announcements in the transport chapter of the coalition agreement. “What really irritates me is that advanced tram plans may be stopped,” she told the newspaper. “New subway lines are to be built for this purpose, which will only actually run in 20 or 30 years.”
In addition to the already discussed extensions of the subway lines U2, U3, U7 and U8, the coalition agreement should also examine the expansion of further connections and even the construction of two new subway lines. The already planned extension or the construction of three tram lines, on the other hand, wants to be looked at again and reassessed if necessary.
“Efforts to improve road safety and also for more alternatives to private cars are being reversed,” said Jarasch. “There is less space for bikes and pedestrians and less public transport – and more traffic jams.” This is a “step backwards for those who depend on their car”.
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