A 40-mile people-bahn in Germany
Posted by Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor) on July 19th, 2010 at 11:43 am
When I first became familiar with Bogota's ciclovias -- the event that inspired Portland's Sunday Parkways -- I was excited by its sheer size. Unlike in Portland, Bogota (and other cities in Latin America) closes major thoroughfares, not just small residential streets during their events. The result is an event that has transcended transportation and has become firmly ensconced as a cultural institution enjoyed by millions of people each week.
Now, it looks like Germany might be headed in the same direction. On Sunday, Germans enjoyed a carfree autobahn that stretched for 40 miles. The event was part of a cultural celebration. Here's more from BBC News (followed by a video):
"Dancing in the fast lane, the people of the Ruhr party on the motorway:
Germans have been throwing an enormous party on one of the busiest stretches of the country's famous autobahn (motorway) network... As many as three million people turned up for a giant banquet at picnic tables along 60km (40 miles) of motorway between Duisburg and Dortmund... Party organisers said they had given away 20,000 tables to allow people to eat, drink, dance and perform plays into Sunday evening."
And here's a short video of the event:
Simply awesome. This event shows what's possible when we re-imagine public space that is usually reserved only for private motor vehicles. No word yet whether some segments of the autobahn will be permanently renamed the peoplebahn.
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July 19th, 2010 11:53
awe inspiring...
July 19th, 2010 12:01
It would be interesting to see the breakdown of costs for that event... Somehow I don't think the German government asked locals to hold a bake sale.
July 19th, 2010 12:48
Holy muthaaaaaaa o' PEARL!
July 19th, 2010 12:49
Would that be a Volksbahn?
July 19th, 2010 14:19
Very interesting considering the history of the development of the autobahn...
If only there were some powerful, charismatic leader who could implement sweeping cultural change and develop public infrastructure for the people. oh...wait a second.
July 19th, 2010 16:40
So why aren't our Sunday Parkways this big? What is wrong with Portland and the United States that we can't enjoy something this large like this?
July 19th, 2010 17:56
Meh. Portland has had this for years. Unfortunately it's Dick Bowman's personal party. You have to pay for admission and only he gets to pick the tunes.
July 20th, 2010 05:54
Interstate Bridge party...for its 100th birthday?
July 21st, 2010 21:02
Oh man, let's shut down the FDR and celebrate something, anything, even Lindsey Lohan going to jail!