Werner Graf, the top candidate for the Berlin Greens, has advocated for further restrictions on car traffic within the capital. Speaking to the news portal T-Online, Graf stated that Berlin has far too many victims of accidents and significant issues with fine dust pollution. He criticized what he described as decades of policy that catered exclusively to motorized traffic, declaring that the priority must be achieving an equitable distribution of space in public areas.
According to the Greens politician, transportation in Berlin must be reliable and safe for everyone, whether using a car, the train, walking, or cycling. Graf emphasized that this vision necessarily means reducing the road space cars currently occupy.
He attempted to reassure drivers, saying they “have nothing to fear.” Graf’s key message to motorists was that the more people switch from driving to cycling or taking public transport, the less traffic there will be and the smoother the flow will become. He criticized the CDU’s “car-first policy” as a major contributor to traffic congestion experienced by drivers.
In contrast, Berlin’s transport senator, Ute Bonde (CDU), recently announced plans to impose stricter guidelines on local districts regarding traffic calming initiatives, such as speed bumps (“Kiezpoller”). Bonde stated that districts moving forward must be prepared to assess the effects of such measures on residents, commercial traffic, adjacent businesses, and particularly on emergency services like police, fire, and rescue teams.
