Category Archives: Beatrix Wupperman

All posts by Beatrix

The Parking Problem – New Series

Following on from our in-depth Cycle Streets posts, today we launch a new series focussing on that apparently boring, yet in practice extremely controversial theme, car parking. To start the series, we’ve dug out these short films from 1993 made by performance artist and carwalker Michael Hartmann. The title of the films, “Autoschreck”, roughly means “car shock”. German narration with English voice-over.

Continue reading The Parking Problem – New Series →

Bremen Cycle Streets: Humboldtstraße – A Role Model?

Humboldtstraße
Humboldtstraße

Bremen’s politicians are extremely proud of the new design of Humboldtstraße as a Cycle Street. It is hailed by our representatives and their cycling advisers as a great solution for a range of problems. However, the new design didn’t arise because all the experts thought Humboldtstraße to be the ideal space for a Cycle Street. Rather, the idea was developed because Hansewasser, Bremen’s water company, planned to upgrade the sewer system under the road.
Continue reading Bremen Cycle Streets: Humboldtstraße – A Role Model? →

Cycle Streets: Do content and label match?

Cycle Streets in Bremen: Purpose and Reality

Fahrradstraßen – Cycle Streets – are seen, alongside cycle lanes, cycle tracks, protective strips and more, as a tool to promote cycling. The basic concept – according to Germany’s road traffic regulations – is a road without motor traffic:
Continue reading Cycle Streets: Do content and label match? →

Jan Gehl – Cities for People

Jan Gehl – Architect, Urban Planner, Visionary and Humanist

Jan Gehl is an experienced architect and urban planner from Copenhagen with a very special view on his environment. Today he has become something of a patron for pedestrians and cyclists. Continue reading Jan Gehl – Cities for People →

Sustainable Mobility Week

Today Bremen starts its week of sustainable mobility

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(Foto: Beatrix Wupperman)

Highlights include:

Friday, 16. September
– 17:00 Parking Day (Vor dem Steintor, Höhe Ziegenmarkt)

Saturday, 17. September
– 14:00 Tour de fair (Georgs Fairkauf, Admiralstr. 143)

Sunday, 18. September
– 10.30 ADFC Hochstraßentour (Bahnhofsvorplatz)

Monday, 19. September
– 16:00 Mit dem BUND entschleunigt durchs Blockland (Tierheim Hemmstr. 491)
Friends of the Earth Bremen invite you for a cycle tour away from noise and emissions through the Blockland

– 19:00 Bicycle-Pilotprojekt Neustadt (HSB Cafeteria, Neustadtswall 30) Info and Discussion

For the full program see here:

Bremen ohne Lärm, Schmutz und Enge: Der autofreie StadTraum

Parkallee – No Stars For The Cunning Plan

Anyone who has been on a cycle tour of Bremen will know the city’s top attraction Der Stern (The Star). The Stern roundabout sits in the Schwachhausen district, Northeast of the city centre and has seen changes to its layout over the years. Now new plans are afoot. Continue reading Parkallee – No Stars For The Cunning Plan →

Cycling in Bremen – The Early Years

550px_Hochrad 1887

“I believe that if all Germans cycled, they would lose their dull sensuality and be happier and more agreeable.” (Ricarda Huch to Richard Huch 1896)[1.Huch, Ricarda: Du mein Dämon, meine Schlange…letter to Richard Huch 1887 – 1897, P. 612, cited by Reiß, Florian Nikolaus: Vom Radfahren in Bremen – Die Bremer Fahrradgeschichte bis zum Ersten Weltkrieg, in: Bremisches Jahrbuch, Band 94, 2015, P. 149f]

 “In no other city in Germany, are cyclists treated as humanely as here in Bremen” (German Bicycle Association meeting in Bremen 1897)[2.Cited by Reiß: Bremer Fahrradgeschichte, P. 162]

Bremer Bicycle History Part 1: 19th century to early 20th century

One glance at Bremen, and you soon realise the importance of the bicycle. In Bremen so many people ride bikes. How come? Continue reading Cycling in Bremen – The Early Years →