Berlin becomes first German city with a specific Pedestrian Law

At the end of January, Berlin’s state parliament passed a so-called Pedestrian Law laying out an ambitious to-do list for improving walkability in Berlin: longer green light phases for pedestrians, safer school routes for kids, more crosswalks and more benches; lowered curbs for improved accessibility; maintaining safe conditions around construction sites for people walking and cycling, and, more municipal enforcement against illegal parking and dangerous driving in the city.

This new pedestrian law is a success story of continuous pressure from civic advocacy groups such as Germany’s Foot Traffic Association (FUSS e.V.), Changing Cities e.V. and others who lobbied for improving conditions for walking and cycling in Berlin.

We watch with interest to see if this legal basis will have more impact than a walking policy or action plan.  Will it leverage more investment, more delivery, more impact, more effectively?   Will it inspire other cities to take this step up in commitment  to people on foot?

We stand alongside Berliners who wait to see how politicians and administrators follow up with built measures to make Berlin’s Pedestrian Law a reality on the streets for a more walkable city.