From BZ/dpa
A vigil was held in Berlin to commemorate the cyclist who died on Thursday evening after a serious traffic accident with a truck.
The 44-year-old was hit by a concrete mixer on Monday on the busy Bundesallee in Wilmersdorf, rolled over and critically injured.
ADFC members set up a so-called ghost bike at the accident site on Sunday afternoon. These completely white bikes are used to commemorate cyclists who have been killed on the road. Numerous candles were burning in front of it.
Several dozen participants gathered for the vigil. Some sat on the side of the road, some directly on the road blocked off by the police. Many had come by bike themselves. Paul Jäde, board member of the Changing Cities organization, which is committed to the traffic turnaround in Berlin, criticized the fact that cyclists were not adequately protected against accidents.
In the run-up to the vigil, Changing Cities had already criticized those responsible for transport policy in the capital. Among other things, they accused the Senate and the district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf that the accident could have been avoided. The organization pointed out that there had already been an accident at the same place in 2018 and the risks for cyclists were therefore known.
Jäde accused administration and politics of “complete failure”. “If you look at how this is designed, nothing has changed on a four-lane double-lane road, which has always been a source of conflict,” he said. “Only the area that was already partially intended for pedestrian and bicycle traffic was adjusted a little.” The basic traffic structure, the fairness of area and the division, was not shaken.
Mobility Senator Bettina Jarasch (Greens) also took part in the vigil. She did not want to comment on the criticism of Changing Cities for the time being and said the vigil was dedicated to the killed cyclist.
Mobility Senator Bettina Jarasch (Greens) also took part in the vigil Photo: Timo Beurich
The accident caused a nationwide stir and discussion. According to the fire brigade, a special vehicle that was supposed to help free the injured person under the truck was stuck in a traffic jam on the city highway. At the same time there was an action by the climate protest group “Last Generation”.
It is not yet clear to what extent this had an impact on the rescue of the injured woman.