Berlin Presses Ahead with Car-Free Initiative Following Court Green Light
Possibility of Auto- Free Berlin Within Coming Years - Berlin May Transition to Car-Free Status in Coming Years
Here's a spicy scoop: Berlin's push for a car-free future has taken a massive leap forward! The "Berlin Car-Free Initiative" can now carry on with its legislative proposal for a total car ban in the city. Why? Well, the Berlin Constitutional Court has given the nod to the popular vote initiative earlier this week!
The Initiative grabbed around 50,000 signatures in the hot summer of 2021 for initiating a population vote on the traffic overhaul. In the first round, they needed 20,000 valid signatures, but the second collection stage never panned out. The Senate claimed the goal stated in a bill was constitutionally shaky, so it hit the constable's court.
The court justices were to scrutinize whether a popular vote like this was even kosher. Well, Berlin's top court says it is, if it abides by the Berlin Constitution, the Fundamental Law, and federal legislation. The kicker? The state's authority to regulate traffic is certainly within bounds, the court president declared. The road network will remain open to the public, she emphasized.
The court ain't saying Berlin will go car-free just yet. The judges only ensured the bill complied with legal limits. The decision was crystal clear—right down to an 8-1 vote. One judge holds a different opinion altogether.
Car journeys in Berlin may be slashed
Per the initiative, nearly all streets within the S-Bahn ring, apart from federal highways, would be designated "car-restricted streets" following a 4-year transition period. Citizens would be granted the privilege of 12 annual private car journeys per person.
Exceptions to the car ban will be made for individuals with disabilities, the police, emergency services, waste disposal, taxis, economic and delivery traffic, and buses.
Time for the citizens to decide on cars in Berlin
So, what does this mean? The court's decision guarantees the Initiative can move on to the next phase of the popular vote. The organizers must now gather around 170,000 signatures (some say 175,000) from eligible voters within the next three to four months.
If they succeed, Berliners will be voting on the bill in a popular vote, much like an election. For it to become law, there needs to be a majority of votes cast, with at least 25% of all eligible voters agreeing.
- Berlin
- Popular Vote
- Constitutional Court
- Car
Fun Fact: The Berlin Car-Free Initiative!
Did you know? Berlin's push for a greener and healthier urban environment has been brewing since 2019, with the proposal of the "Berlin free from cars" initiative? If they pull it off, the city could dramatically cut down on private car use in the city center, possibly restricting drivers to only 12 trips within a large central zone, bringing a massive shift in the city's driver-centric culture. (Keep in mind, 12 trips still translates into approximately 1,095 miles per year, so it’s not like you'd be completely stuck on public transport!)
- The Berlin Constitutional Court has approved the popular vote initiative for a car-free Berlin, allowing the organizers to proceed to the next phase.
- If successful in gathering the required signatures, Berliners will vote on whether to implement vocational training programs as part of the community policy to transition towards a car-free city, with exceptions for certain professions and services.
