Berlin, February 19 – A new study commissioned by the Green Party in Berlin aims to bring objectivity to the often-emotional debate surrounding Kiezblocks (neighborhood traffic calming zones). The study, conducted by Stratmo, focuses on the impact of these measures on traffic safety, public perception, and discourse, concluding that Kiezblocks have demonstrably reduced accident rates in the city.
Kiezblocks Lead to Significant Drop in Accidents
The study analyzed Kiezblocks implemented in five Berlin districts over recent years. The findings indicate a notable decrease in accidents with injured persons within and around these traffic-calmed areas compared to the overall trend in Berlin. Between 2018 and 2024, police-registered accidents with injured persons across Berlin decreased by 9 percent, from 13,181 to 12,043. However, in the Kiezblocks implemented before 2024 and their adjacent main roads, the number of accidents fell by approximately 16 percent, from 377 to 318 cases. Within the eight Kiezblocks examined, the reduction was even more pronounced, at 29 percent.
Werner Graf, chairman of the Green parliamentary group, emphasized the importance of factual data in traffic policy, stating, “It is crucial that we introduce objectivity and facts into traffic policy.”
Enhanced Safety for Cyclists and Pedestrians
The positive trend is particularly evident when examining accidents involving cyclists and pedestrians. Across Berlin, the number of police-registered bicycle and pedestrian accidents decreased by approximately 14 percent, from 6,575 in 2018 to 5,635 in 2024. In contrast, within the Kiezblocks and their adjacent main roads, these figures dropped by 21 percent, from 252 to 199 cases. The inner Kiezblock areas saw an even more substantial reduction of around 34 percent.
“We clearly see that traffic calming helps,” said Graf, urging for courage in implementing measures that lead to traffic safety. “Whoever promises road safety must also have the courage to take measures that lead to it.”
Public Perception and Acceptance of Kiezblocks
Beyond accident statistics, the study also explored public perception of Kiezblocks, drawing on existing surveys from five Berlin neighborhoods: Komponistenviertel, Samariterviertel, Graefekiez, Wrangelkiez, and Bergmannkiez. The majority of residents in these areas expressed support for the traffic calming measures, with approval ratings ranging from 60 to 79 percent.
However, an exception was noted among businesses in the Graefekiez, where only one-third viewed the project positively. The study highlights that “acceptance issues in commercial traffic are strongly decided by ensuring reliable delivery and parking options.” It therefore recommends involving affected businesses in the planning of Kiezblocks to increase overall acceptance.
Factors Influencing Acceptance: Communication, Design, and Control
The authors of the study concluded that traffic calming measures are more readily accepted “the more they are experienced as concrete improvements in public space and the less they are perceived as a restriction on accessibility.” The study identifies three key levers to further enhance acceptance:
- Communication: Early and comprehensive information dissemination.
- Design: Clear separation of traffic types and minimization of conflicts between cycling and pedestrian traffic.
- Control: Consistent enforcement of entry and parking rules.
The study also suggests that the positive effects are amplified when traffic calming measures are accompanied by an upgrading of public spaces. However, several Green district councilors noted a lack of funding for such enhancements. Jochen Biedermann, Neukölln’s traffic councilor, explained that while the Schillerkiez could combine upgrading with the traffic concept due to extraordinary funding from an urban development program, other areas like Reuterkiez or Rixdorf prioritize traffic calming due to lower investment requirements compared to greening the neighborhoods.
The debate surrounding Kiezblocks often involves disagreements, particularly between districts led by Green traffic councilors, who advocate for these measures to reduce through traffic for residents, and the CDU-led transport administration, which often raises concerns regarding police, fire department, and public transport services (BVG).
This study provides valuable data to inform future discussions and implementations of Kiezblocks, emphasizing their role in creating safer and more livable urban environments in Berlin.
