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Chain Reactions: The Hidden Chaos of Cycling in Berlin
Two Wheeled Chariots of Chaos Waging War on Pedestrians, Cars, and Common Sense
In 2012, Berlin’s Chief of Polizei Polizeipräsidium ended police foot patrols on the streets. The intention behind this decision, it seems, was to save money. That’s it.
There’s an increasing amount of foot traffic on the streets of Berlin. It’s the result of an ongoing campaign to encourage residents to hang up the keys to their cars, and join the slow walkers.
You can buy or rent a bike — just stop driving cars around in circles, sitting in traffic, and generally polluting the atmosphere.
There are rental shops galore in Berlin. If you stroll around the centre of Berlin — which could be anywhere that is busy, full of cafes and shops — you will find a place to rent a bike for a day. Alternatively, you can simply use your bank card to rent a scooter or bike that is parked on the street. They are easy to spot because they are parked carelessly in the middle of the pathway.
Most car owners can’t really say precisely why they bought a car. Car sales people would tell you that the car separates the individual from the pack. A car offers privacy, status, isolation from the sweaty morning rush through dark underground tunnels.
