Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg District Begins Converting Rigaer Straße into a Cycling-Priority Road

Published October 17, 2026, Tagesspiegel reported that Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district had begun transforming Rigaer Straße — already officially a designated bicycle street — into one that actually functions as a main cycling artery. Phase one establishes one-way street directions to drastically reduce through-traffic. Phase two will convert diagonal parking to parallel, widening the usable lane. Starting December 1, 2026, paid parking at €3 per hour arrives in the Samariterkiez area (which includes part of Rigaer Straße), with free resident permits. December 2025 traffic counts showed vehicle traffic far exceeding bicycle traffic on the designated bike street. The current passable lane width of approximately 4.8 metres between parked cars falls below the recommended 5.5 metres. District official Annika Gerold stated the project would create 'a street that fulfils its role as a central bicycle route.' The conversion had been contested by the previous CDU-led Senate, making the start of work under the new district leadership politically significant.