SPD politician Franziska Becker (55) measures a height difference of up to 5 cm from the sidewalk to the street Photo: David Heerde
By Pia Fredebeul
How accessible are our sidewalks? The Wilmersdorf MP Franziska Becker (55, SPD) has taken a close look at her neighborhood.
A walk with obstacles! On Tuesday, the politician invited to a tour of discovery at Bundesplatz. Their goal: to uncover stumbling blocks for seniors, children and the visually impaired.
The problems quickly became clear: too short green phases at the traffic light for pedestrians, too little seating on main streets, too little lighting on sidewalks. Particularly dangerous: the many e-scooters in the middle of the sidewalks.
Obstacles such as e-scooters on the sidewalks are not only dangerous traps for pedestrians on the Bundesplatz Photo: David Heerde
Manuela Myszka (64) from the Berlin General Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (ABSV) is herself affected. She says: “All walking areas should be free of obstacles such as e-scooters and bicycles. That’s why I’m often afraid of falling.”
Biggest annoyance: Many slabs on sidewalks are at different heights and would have to be replaced. Becker measured a difference of up to five centimeters – an absolute stumbling block!
The visually impaired in particular have problems when the footpath and cycle path cannot be clearly distinguished from one another Photo: David Heerde
Conclusion of the deputies: “In terms of pedestrian traffic, there is a lot to do. I would like to expand the concept in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf and repeat it at other locations.”