Berlin allows bicycles and e-scooters to be parked free of charge in car parking spaces

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Bicycle in parking lot: Even if they don't have to pay any fees, cyclists still have to park in a space-saving way

It's tight in the state capital – too tight.

Bicycles, e-scooters and motorbikes are parked side by side on Berlin's sidewalks.

Passers-by can hardly get through.

In order to solve the problem, two-wheelers should in future be parked more frequently in areas where cars are currently mostly parked, for example on the side of the road or in parking lots.

Therefore, the Berlin Senate wants to exempt smaller vehicles from the parking fees due there.

The regulation should apply from January 1st and ensure more safety on the footpaths.

"It is the case that bicycles, but also electric and other small vehicles are actually vehicles and that means they can be parked in parking lots," said Mobility Senator Bettina Jarasch (Greens) to the rbb broadcaster on Wednesday.

»The goal behind it is very clear: I finally want bicycles, scooters and other small vehicles to disappear from the sidewalks, where they have been legally tolerated until now.«

After a transitional period, e-scooters should no longer be allowed to park on sidewalks, but may only be parked at special collection points or parking spaces on the street.

Bicycles, on the other hand, are still tolerated on sidewalks.

According to a statement by the Senate, the new regulations for parking fees are intended to encourage cyclists to use parking spaces more often.

The new regulation caused quite a stir.

Many motorists feared that a single bicycle could now block an entire parking space.

Parking would be even more difficult in the German capital.

In the meantime, however, the Senate Chancellery has made it clear that bicycles and other two-wheelers should still be parked as space-savingly as possible.

"Bicycles should always be parked in the places intended for them," says a clarification on Twitter.

Accordingly, cyclists should continue to use racks to park their bicycles.

The new fee schedule also applies to motorists.

From now on you have to pay more for parking in Berlin.

Only half the parking fee is charged for carsharing cars with an E license plate.

According to the Senate, the parking fees had not been touched for about 20 years.

The new regulation should not only increase traffic safety, but also support climate protection and the necessary mobility turnaround.

koe