Germany Archives

A new approach to rural mobility

May 16, 2025 | Germany, Inspiring initiative, Sustainable Mobility

Mitfahrbank, or “carpooling bench,” is a unique initiative started in Hürup, Germany, to tackle transport poverty in rural areas.

From airfield to leisure area

Mar 25, 2025 | Biodiversity, Germany, Inspiring initiative

The Tempelhofer Feld is a former airfield of the Tempelhof Airport in Germany, now used as a park and leisure area.

Demonstrations for child-friendly traffic legislation

Mar 17, 2025 | Germany, Inspiring initiative, Sustainable Mobility

The Kidical Mass movement inspires cyclists from all ages to advocate for child-friendly traffic legislation.

Unlocking independence and integration for refugees

Jun 22, 2023 | Clean Energy, Germany, Inspiring initiative, Sustainable Mobility

#BIKEYGEES is a remarkable initiative that aims to empower refugee women and girls in Berlin by offering them free practical cycle training. The initiative also teaches German traffic rules and how to carry out basic bike repairs in different languages. They also give out bikes, helmets, maintenance tools, and locks to participating girls and women after passing a small theoretical exam, so they can leave the training self-sufficient.

Revolutionizing mobility through ride-sharing benches

Jun 21, 2023 | Germany, Inspiring initiative, Sustainable Mobility

The ride-sharing bench is centrally located on the village street, inviting people to comfortably sit down and indicate their desire for a ride. Destination signs in five directional alternatives in the area, indicating where people want to go. By identifying the direction and destination of each bench’s occupant(s), drivers willing to give someone a ride can easily connect with them. The initiative is characterised by the positive feedback loop: The more benches are installed in different localities, the shorter the waiting time will be for people sitting on the benches and the larger the network of possible destinations becomes.