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
