Protest in Berlin-Treptow: A100 creates traffic chaos and traffic jams!

Protest in Berlin-Treptow: A100 creates traffic chaos and traffic jams!

On Friday afternoon, several hundred people in Berlin-Treptow demonstrated against the new section of the A100. This event was organized by an alliance of various associations and initiatives, including Changing Cities, the pedestrian association Fuss and the ADFC Treptow-Köpenick. The participants held transparent with slogans such as "Cities for people instead of cars" and "Transport turnaround now". Despite the high number of participants, the demo was peaceful, as a police spokesman reported.

The newly opened section of the A100, which officially went into operation on August 27, 2025, runs from the Neukölln triangle to the Treptow junction. Since it opened, there have been long traffic jams and heavy traffic every day, which leads to confusing situations, especially for pedestrians. The traffic information center in Berlin had to close the bridge to the A100 towards Treptow during the demonstration. Residents complain that they are losing their reliable connection and the danger for pedestrians and cyclists, especially children, is increasing.

Traffic chaos and demands

The A100 Stop Action Alliance sharply criticizes the current traffic situation. It complains that bus lanes, cycle paths and pedestrian traffic lights are regularly blocked. Adelheid Rehmann, spokeswoman for the Kunger Kiez Initiative, is calling for more support from the Senate for better traffic management. They and other protesters want traffic to be managed differently or even the temporary closure of the 16th section of the A100.

Before the new section went into operation, the traffic situation was already tense, particularly due to construction work on the Elsen Bridge, which is considered a traffic bottleneck. The initiatives argue that the city and municipalities must bring about a mobility transition in order to reduce private motorized transport and create more space for pedestrians and cyclists. In this context, the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport is funding various projects for sustainable urban and transport planning and is focusing on new mobility concepts.

Mobility transition and urban planning

The mobility transition, which aims to promote alternative means of transport and reduce private motorized transport, is a central issue in Berlin. Current plans include the development of pedestrian zones, continuous cycle paths and the provision of electric vehicles to improve the traffic situation. Transforming into a pedestrian-friendly city is necessary to increase the quality of life and reduce danger on the streets.

The case of the A100 raises questions about future transport planning. Initiatives and associations are calling for a rethink and a holistic view of the transport infrastructure, which focuses not only on cars, but also on pedestrians and cyclists. The prerequisite for this is reliable data and a deep understanding of local urban development conditions, as is also the aim of the mFUND innovation program.

The results of these projects could serve as guidelines to sustainably improve mobility in districts and finally cause changes that take into account the needs of a growing city. The demonstration in Berlin-Treptow is therefore not only a protest against road construction, but a call for a necessary traffic and city transition.