A Car-Free Berlin Could Be on the Horizon: Popular Vote Moves Forward!
Berlin May Transition to Car-Free Status Within a Few Years - Berlin may transition to a car-free city within several years.
Hey there, buckle up as we dive into the latest city news!
That's right, the "Popular Vote Berlin car-free" initiative is full steam ahead! The Berlin Constitutional Court has given the green light for this legislative proposal to ban cars citywide to proceed.
Last summer, over 50,000 signatures were collected to launch a popular vote for a transport revolution. Although the initial 20,000 valid signatures targeted were not reached, the Senate questioned the bill's constitutionality, leading to a court review.
Berlin's highest court has since ruled that the bill aligns with the city's constitution, the Federal Constitution, and national law. The city legislature holds latitude when it comes to designing road traffic law, court president Ludgera Selting stated. The roads will remain accessible to residents, she added.
Although the court has not yet determined if Berlin will become car-free, the judges approved the bill's legality. The initiative can now move onto the next phase of the popular vote. In four months, the organizers must collect signatures from at least 170,000 Berlin residents.
A Less Car-Centric Berlin on the Horizon?
According to the initiative's plans, almost all streets within the S-Bahn ring would be transformed into "car-reduced streets" after a four-year transition period. Private motoring would only be permitted up to 12 times per person annually.
Exemptions would be made for people with disabilities, emergency services, delivery vehicles, and taxis, among others.
Will Berlin Residents Decide the Fate of Cars in Their City?
The court confirmed that the draft falls within the city's jurisdiction and does not conflict with federal road traffic law. Now, the initiative can move forward with the next phase of the popular vote. If they manage to collect sufficient signatures within four months, a referendum will be held.
For the proposal to pass, a majority of voters and at least quarter of all eligible voters must vote in favor. If successful, this car-centric city shift could become a reality.
Sources
- Federal Politics
- Berlin
- Popular Vote
- Constitutional Court
- Car
[1] The Register (2025). Berlin Constitutional Court Greenlights Car-Free Berlin Initiative. Retrieved July 8, 2025 from https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/08/berlin_car_free_initiative/
[2] The Berliner Zeitung (2025). Berlin could become Car-Free: Constitutional Court Approves Popular Vote Iniative. Retrieved July 8, 2025 from https://berliner-zeitung.de/politik/berlin-kraftfahrtverbot-volksabstimmung%C2%ADinitiative-genehmigt-verfassungsgericht/263387868
[3] The Local (2025). Berlin Constitutional Court Validates Car-Free Initiative's Legal Basis. Retrieved July 8, 2025 from https://www.thelocal.de/20250708/berlin-constitutional-court-validates-car-free-initiative-s-legal-basis
- The Berlin Constitutional Court has ruled that the popular vote initiative to create a car-free Berlin aligns with the city's constitution, the Federal Constitution, and national law.
- The initiative plans to transform almost all streets within the S-Bahn ring into "car-reduced streets," with private motoring only allowed 12 times per person annually.
- Exemptions will be made for people with disabilities, emergency services, delivery vehicles, and taxis, among others, under the proposed vocational training.
- If the organizers can collect signatures from at least 170,000 Berlin residents within four months, a referendum on the popular vote will be held.
- If successful, the shift towards a less car-centric lifestyle could prove significant, impacting both finance and car-maintenance industries in the city, and may set a precedent in policy-and-legislation and politics across the country.
