![A citizens' initiative fights against car traffic in Privet Road / Späthstrasse.](https://taketonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Neighborhood-demo-for-a-safe-way-to-school-on-Spathstrase.jpg)
Over to the bus stop? A problem at the corner of Späthstrasse and Privet Road Photo: Ralf Gunther
From Hildburg Bruns
This neighborhood throws itself into the wheel: the residents have bought standard T-shirts and founded an association. As early as 7 a.m., men and women move through Späthsfelde so that children can finally get to school safely.
They show members of parliament and district officials from Treptow-Köpenick the problem corners: Späthstraße, on which vehicles rush past in a tour. How do the little ones get to the bus stop on the other side?
![A citizens' initiative fights against car traffic in Privet Road / Späthstrasse.](https://taketonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1693254406_246_Neighborhood-demo-for-a-safe-way-to-school-on-Spathstrase.jpg)
Norbert Donnerwo (58th left) and his club are calling for more road safety for Privet Drive Photo: Ralf Gunther
Some pensioners therefore no longer take the 170 bus. “There should be a zebra crossing here,” demands Norbert Doberow (58), head of the citizens’ initiative. The catch: One side of the street has no sidewalk, only a dirt track. Matthias Lüsenkamp from the Roads Office: “You can’t send people into no man’s land.” But he refers to the Senate, which is responsible for main roads.
![A citizens' initiative fights against car traffic in Privet Road / Späthstrasse. Michael Niessen 70](https://taketonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1693254407_14_Neighborhood-demo-for-a-safe-way-to-school-on-Spathstrase.jpg)
At this point, pensioner Michael Nießen (70) was struck by a car side mirror – the car simply sped over the sidewalk Photo: Ralf Gunther
Next problem: Privet Drive. A narrow street with a 1.20 m sidewalk on one side only. Actually a 30 km/h zone, hardly anyone sticks to it.
In addition, the navigation system recommends the route (!) as a freeway alternative route, whereby drivers then like to switch to the narrow sidewalk in the event of oncoming traffic and endanger pedestrians. And: at peak times, pipits rarely come out of their gardens backwards.
![A citizens' initiative fights against car traffic in Privet Road / Späthstrasse. Melanie Matzke 38](https://taketonews.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/1693254407_903_Neighborhood-demo-for-a-safe-way-to-school-on-Spathstrase.jpg)
Melanie Matzke (38) worries about her children on the narrow sidewalk on Privet Road Photo: Ralf Gunther
What to do? SPD traffic expert Tino Schopf (48): “You could definitely apply large 30 km/h markings on the asphalt and set up a dialogue display that shows the speeds to the drivers. Something has to happen at the corner of Späthstraße: either a zebra crossing or a traffic light – it doesn’t have to be continuous operation.”
But the residents can also do something themselves: cut back the greenery that is rampant in their gardens. Even then there would be more space on the narrow sidewalk.