The new mobility law ignores the car, although it is the most important means of transport in the country

The new mobility law ignores the car, although it is the most important means of transport in the country

The new Mobility Act in Brandenburg does not provide for new streets to be built, but focus on the expansion of bicycle paths, bus and rail connections. In a recently presented draft law, Transport Minister Guido Beermann (CDU) emphasized that the car will also play an important role in rural areas. However, there seems to be no space for this role in the draft of the law.

The narrow, winding and dangerous country roads are particularly known in Brandenburg, which, despite the long period of time since reunification, have still not been appropriately expanded. Main roads lead through small towns and represent an enormous burden for the residents because there are no bypasses. Many planned measures have been delayed and put on ice for decades.

Two examples in Berlin's space illustrate this situation. On the one hand, there is the federal road 158, which leads between Lichtenberg and Marzahn-Hellersdorf and the Berlin Ring strongly narrowed by Ahrensfelde (Barnim). Here the traffic comes to a standstill every day in both directions. Despite a 20-year dispute between the governments of Berlin and Brandenburg for the financing of a bypass, the project was put back on hold after protests by the Federal Audit Office.

Another example is Osdorfer Straße, which leads south of Berlin from the B101 to Lichterfelde. While the B101 was expanded four -lane, Osdorfer Straße remained in the 1961 state. The road is so narrow that hardly two vehicles come together. More than 10,000 vehicles drive across this road every day, although it would actually have to be blocked due to its dangerousness. An alternative route has been planned for 21 years, but never realized.

The new mobility law in Brandenburg does not take such important and dangerous roads into account. Lobbyists of the group "Traffic Turn Brandenburg now", including Greenpeace, the radical BUND youth and the anti-auto initiative "Changing Cities", have had a significant impact on this law. With 28,500 signatures of citizens, a "control group" was formed with the state government, which the Mobility Act formulated on a narrow basis away from the majority. The coalition of the SPD, the Greens and CDU plans to adopt this law in the state parliament.

It is generally known that in Brandenburg outside the centers you do not get a bike or bus on and only the train or car are available as a means of transport. The car is the most important means of transport in the country and is neglected in the new Mobility Act. In his article, Gunnar Schupelius emphasizes this problem and calls for a stronger consideration of private transport in rural areas.