Against the Trend: 1.6 km of New Protected Bike Lane on Grunewaldstraße
In Berlin’s Tempelhof-Schöneberg district, a 1.6 km protected bike lane on the busy Grunewaldstraße has been completed, offering cyclists a safe, dedicated space amid high car traffic and noise. Opened on September 24, 2025, with a community “roll-out” event, the project bucks the city’s trend of missing bike infrastructure targets, where only 20.5 km of new paths were built in 2025 despite ambitious goals. Local districts like Tempelhof-Schöneberg are leading the charge, constructing nearly 15 km of paths this year.
Background
The Grunewaldstraße, a key east-west corridor in Schöneberg, was long a stressful route for cyclists due to heavy vehicle volumes and noise. After years of planning, advocacy, and resistance—including a 2023 demonstration against the Senate’s attempt to prioritize parking over cyclist safety—the protected lane was finalized in September 2025. Featuring bollards, red markings, and bike symbols, it enhances daily commuting and school routes.
The project highlights district-level momentum amid citywide delays. As reported by Der Tagesspiegel on December 19, 2025, Berlin’s Senate fell short of its targets, building just 20.5 km of new bike paths. However, districts such as Tempelhof-Schöneberg, Mitte, Neukölln, and others delivered around 15 km collectively. The ADFC Berlin and local groups, including ADFC Schöneberg and Infravelo, celebrated the opening with a group ride from Bayerischer Platz, drawing politicians, activists, and residents to showcase the infrastructure’s impact.
Future Outlook
While the Grunewaldstraße lane marks a significant win for safer cycling and sustainable transport, it underscores the need for accelerated progress. Districts are proving pivotal in overcoming Senate blockades, but Berlin must scale up to meet long-term goals for protected networks. Advocacy from groups like ADFC will remain crucial to prioritize bike safety over car parking and ensure equitable, family-friendly infrastructure citywide.