Letter to Wegner: associations insist on mobility law
More than 70 Berlin associations, organizations and companies have spoken out in favour of preserving the Mobility Act. In an open letter to Governing Mayor Kai Wegner and the CDU and SPD parliamentary groups, they criticize possible changes to the law, which was passed by the red-red-green Senate in 2018 and later expanded, which gives priority to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport in transport planning. "The Mobility Act is a jointly developed plan to enable safe, climate-friendly, economical and socially balanced mobility for all people and businesses in and around Berlin," reads the letter published by the Changing Cities association on Friday.
Signatories warn against yesterday's ideas
In order to achieve climate neutrality by 2045, CO2 emissions should be halved by 2030, the signatories argue. "The Mobility Act is the key to this." The proposed amendments from the CDU parliamentary group are a departure from this goal. "De facto, it is about stabilizing motor vehicle traffic," is a central point of criticism. "We can't solve the problems of today and tomorrow with yesterday's ideas - for example, a car-friendly city." Changing Cities fears that the expansion of cycling in particular will be significantly restricted.
Many people in Berlin want to walk, cycle and use public transport. "But the infrastructure and services are so inadequate that many consider a car to be necessary as a mobility reserve." The Mobility Act should expand public transport and cycle paths. "We therefore appeal to everyone who cares about Berlin, especially the SPD parliamentary group and all the political forces that jointly created the Mobility Act, to reject this proposal in its entirety."
List of signatories ranges from Greenpeace to Nextbike
Signatories to the open letter include the Berlin chapter of the German Federation for the Environment and Nature Conservation (BUND), Deutsche Umwelthilfe, Greenpeace Berlin, Verkehrsclub Deutschland Nordost, ADFC Berlin, the Berlin chapter of Architects for Future, attac Berlin, several scientists and companies such as Nextbike and Business auf Rädern.
The House of Representatives and Senate in Berlin should support the Mobility Act, as it aligns with their goal of reducing CO2 emissions and achieving climate neutrality by 2045. Proposed changes from the CDU parliamentary group, which may hinder the expansion of cycling and public transport, go against the spirit of the Mobility Act and could make car usage necessary again, despite adequate infrastructure and services for walking, cycling, and public transport.
Source: www.dpa.com
