Berlin’s next sport trend? Let’s call it… U-Bahn racing. As subway trains trundle overhead, you zoom off on your bike, free as a bird with a tailwind and safely away from all those pesky cars. The location: the Radbahn, a unique stretch of cycle lane located directly under the U1 railway viaduct in Kreuzberg. We previewed the project back in 2019, and now the people behind it are ready to cut the ribbon (well, almost). Next Thursday (25.04.2024) a trial section of the route between Görlitzer Bahnhof and Kottbusser Tor is launching with a special community event where you can test out the 200m-long cycle lane for yourself. Seventy parking spaces have been cleared to make room for the green-painted lane, which is 3-4m wide and should extend to 9km if fully approved by the city. Besides cycling, the event will also showcase some of the other uses planned for this under-rail haven: areas for doing outdoor fitness, planters for urban greenery, and seating areas for chilling. The aim: make Kreuzberg not just easy to cycle, but more livable too. The Radbahn will officially open at 16h, followed by a guided tour with the creators at 18h. You’ll need to grab your bike and gear up soon – the initial test phase only runs until 15.06. See you on the start line?

Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Reallabor Radbahn

Radbahn, under the U1 viaduct on Skalitzer Str. (Mariannenstraße until Oranienstraße), Berlin–Kreuzberg; map

Opening event 25.04.2024 16–20h30.

@radbahnberlin

Whether for navigation, translation or communication: the cell phone is one of the most important tools, especially when fleeing from persecution, war or violence. Unfortunately, they are too often confiscated by border police or criminal gangs, because of their value or to deter asylum seekers. More than a hundred million people worldwide are on the run. Reporting tends to focus on sea rescue or entry via the EU’s external borders. Journalist Özge Inan and migration expert Marie von Manteuffel will join moderator Anna Dushime on “Through the Sahara without a cell phone” to shed light on fleeing, migration, and how European interests influence African border policies. What challenges do migrants face? How do people cross the dangerous Sahara? And what medical aid is available along refugee routes? The work of MSF(Médecins sans frontières) and questions like these will be discussed in this panel. Journalist and writer Özge Inan approaches flight and migration from a legal perspective. In her novel “Natürlich kann man hier nicht leben” (Of course you can’t live here), she tells the story of a political escape between Turkey and Germany. At Holzmarkt, you can explore the sea rescue boat “Geo Barents” in the Mediterranean with VR glasses and find out how you can get involved — because solidarity and support are essential, especially in times of crisis. Join us for this important discussion and a time to put your cell phone down for two hours. 

Text: Alison Musch / Photos: Johanna Wittig, Malte Mühle, MSF

Ohne Handy durch die Sahara, Holzmarktstr.25, 10243 Berlin–Friedrichshain; map 

“Ohne Handy durch die Sahara” on 19.03.2024 19h. The event is free of charge and will also be broadcast via live stream, you can register here.

@aerzteohnegrenzen