Turning Berlin Into a Car-Free City: The People's Vote
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Berlin may transition into a car-free city within several years. - Berlin Advancing Toward Car-Less Future in Coming Years
The "People's Vote Berlin Car-Free" initiative is moving ahead and taking a significant step towards its ambitious legislative proposal for a complete ban on cars in the capital. The Berlin Constitutional Court has declared the application for the popular vote legitimate.
Last summer, the initiative managed to collect more than 50,000 signatures for the initiation of a corresponding popular vote for the transport transition. In the first phase of the popular vote, 20,000 valid signatures were required. However, the next collection step did not occur—the Senate labeled the goal outlined in a bill as constitutionally questionable, prompting the involvement of the constitutional court.
The judges reviewed whether such a popular vote would be legally permissible at all. Berlin's highest court now contradicts the Senate's assessment. According to court president Ludgera Selting, the bill complies with the Berlin Constitution, the Basic Law, and federal law. The state legislature has the authority to design under road traffic law, she said. The court highlighted that the decision does not determine whether Berlin will become car-free, but rather, whether the bill stays within legal boundaries. The verdict was clear with eight to one. One judge issued a separate opinion.
Say Goodbye to Excessive Car Trips in Berlin?
The initiative's plans call for almost all streets within the S-Bahn ring, with the exception of federal roads, to be declared "car-reduced streets" following a four-year transition period. Each person would be allowed a maximum of twelve private car trips per year.
Exemptions to the car ban would apply to individuals with disabilities, law enforcement, emergency services, fire department, waste collection, taxis, economic traffic, and delivery services. This also includes buses.
The Power is in the Hands of Berlin's Citizens
The court has concluded that the draft complies with the Berlin Constitution, the Basic Law, and federal law. Consequently, the initiative can advance to the next phase of the popular vote. Within four months following the court decision, collectors must gather at least seven percent of Berlin's eligible voters' signatures, approximately 170,000 individuals.
If successful, a popular vote will occur, where the bill will be voted on like an election. A majority of voters and at least a quarter of all eligible voters must agree for the vote to be successful and enact the law.
- Berlin
- People's Vote
- Car
- Constitutional Court
Additional Insights
The Berlin Constitutional Court's recent ruling allows the car-free petition to advance towards gathering the necessary support to force a referendum. Organizers need to collect around 170,000 signatures (7% of Berlin's electorate) by October 2025 to trigger the referendum, followed by a referendum in 2026 where citizens vote on the proposed car restrictions [1][3].
The car-free proposal aims to create a largely pedestrian, cyclist, and public-transport-only zone in the city center, which is larger than Manhattan’s downtown area [2]. If implemented, parking spaces will be converted into green areas, playgrounds, and cultural spaces, similar to European Low Traffic Neighbourhood models [4]. Berlin has a relatively low level of car use compared to other German cities due to its outstanding public transit system, and this initiative is part of a broader trend to improve livability and environmental conditions in cities such as Paris and Bogotá [2].
- The Berlin Constitutional Court's decision has allowed the "People's Vote Berlin Car-Free" initiative to advance, paving the way for vocational training on environmental-science and urban planning for community members involved in transforming Berlin into a car-free city.
- Science and finance will play significant roles in determining the viability of the car-free policy, as industry experts will assess the potential impact on transportation, climate-change, and the economy during the proposal's implementation.
- If the popular vote is successful and the proposal enacted, the car-free City of Berlin may serve as a model for other cities worldwide, inspiring further investment in sustainable transportation and sustainable urban planning, leading to a greener and more environmentally-friendly global industry.
