Berlin set for vote to become car-free
German capital considers creating world's largest no-go area for cars; EVs would also be forbiddenGermany's capital Berlin is primed to become the world's largest car-free city if radical new plans are approved to create an 88-square-kilometre pedestrian and bicycle zone.
The ban, which would see all private car use forbidden within the boundaries of the planned car-free zone, would see an area bigger than New York's Manhattan reclaimed by pedestrians and cyclists.
It's understood buses, taxis and delivery vehicles would be able to operate, and exemptions granted for those who are disabled or need to use their car for their trade.
Everyone else would be entitled to up to 12 rented car journeys a year.
Proposed as part of a citizens' initiative, the campaign known as Berlin Autofrei follows previous efforts that forced city officials to adopt far-reaching cycle-friendly measures.
With initial support said to include more than 50,000 signatories, the action group is now racing to collect 175,000 to force Berlin's Senate to trigger a referendum on the car-free zone.
Alternatively, the city's governing body could decide to go ahead and adopt laws to introduce it anyway, with a decision set to be made as soon as next month.
Lending its support will be Germany's Green political party which recently increased its vote share to 18.9 per cent in Berlin's governing coalition.
Fuelling political will to create the car-free zone is the knowledge that only a third of all Berliners currently own a car.
Recent government-backed research also revealed that 91 per cent of all those surveyed said they would be happier without a car.
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