At the point where the cycle path ends on the road, many cyclists switch to the footpath Photo: Ufuk Ucta
By Julian Loevenich
Almost 7,400 euros – that’s how much the Reinickendorf public order office collected in three days during bicycle checks on Hermsdorfer Damm! Because: cyclists are forbidden to use the sidewalk there.
One who also drove the wrong way and had to pay: Björn Bernat (41) – and he complains. “The sidewalk there is paved like a bike path. The road is far too dangerous,” he says.
In addition, the cycle path markings on the street suddenly stopped, at the same time the curb was lowered there, “you drive intuitively onto the sidewalk,” complains Bernat.
Cyclist Björn Bernat (41) shows his fine notice, he had to pay the fine Photo: Ufuk Ucta
And he’s not alone: the law enforcement officers stopped 134 cyclists. And they all got an immediate fine. There was also the possibility of giving a verbal warning.
The suspicion from BVV circles: It was just about quick money.
A cyclist overtakes a pedestrian on the sidewalk. For many, the road without a cycle path is too dangerous Photo: Ufuk Ucta
The competent authority disagrees. Local residents have complained about the cyclists and there is no doubt that the controls are necessary.
Now the problem of the cycle path is to be tackled by new traffic planning. David Jahn from the FDP parliamentary group in Reinickendorfer BVV, for example, suggests continuing the lines of the existing cycle path, “this way cyclists will know in the future where to merge.”
The bike path on Hermsdorfer Damm ends in the middle of the street. It is now to be extended Photo: Ufuk Ucta
The responsible transport councilor Korinna Stephan (49, Greens) did not comment on a possible change in traffic management when asked by the BZ.
