Disappointing first talks with Federal Transport Minister Wissing

Federal Minister Wissing made good on his promise and today for the first time invited representatives of the initiative "Liveable Cities through Reasonable Speeds" to talks. The talks focused on adapting road traffic law to give local authorities more freedom of action when imposing speed limits in built-up areas. The Federal Minister showed a sincere interest in the motivation and goals of the initiative. 
"We were able to make it clear once again that the initiative is not about the blanket introduction of 30 km/h speed limits or the reversal of the rules, but about greater freedom and a practical basis for ordering them," said Christian Springfeld (FDP). Mayor of the city of Springe.
However, no agreement could be reached on the way forward, the scope and the form of the necessary legal adjustments. "The discussion with the Federal Minister was largely sobering," comments Thomas Dienberg (Greens), Mayor of the City of Leipzig and spokesperson for the initiative. "The principle that speed limits can only be imposed if they do not significantly restrict the ease and safety of traffic is essentially not to be changed. At most, the scope of possible exceptions is to be extended. This means that we are still a long way from the demands of our members and the stipulation in the coalition agreement." The Federal Ministry of Transport, on the other hand, is of the opinion that a far-reaching liberalisation of inner-city speeds would lead to constitutional problems. 
"It has become clear that there is still a long way to go to find a proper solution in the interest of the municipalities," said Tim von Winning (non-party), Ulm's Mayor for Urban Development, Construction and Environment. "The initiative is open to further talks with the ministry. However, we will continue to increase public pressure for an effective amendment of the road traffic law as long as the Federal Ministry does not move sufficiently."

Background:
Two years ago, seven cities took the reins with a policy paper calling for them to take their fate in their own hands when it comes to speeding on their city streets. The policy paper was submitted to Federal Transport Minister Wissing on 4 April 2022. The core concern of the municipalities is to make their streets liveable: safe, healthy and with a high quality of life - as stipulated in the coalition agreement of the governing parties. In the meantime, almost 800 cities, municipalities and districts have joined the demands - throughout Germany and across all party lines. In the past 5 months, the initiative has doubled its membership. More than 32 million people live in the cities and municipalities of the initiative.

Thomas Dienberg, spokesperson for the initiative and mayor of Leipzig, Tim von Winning, Ulm's mayor for urban development, construction and the environment, and Christian Springfeld, mayor of the city of Springe am Deister, took part in today's discussion on behalf of the initiative (from left to right). The delegation reflects the different city sizes and the non-partisanship of the initiative. (Image source: Burkhard Horn)

8 new members as of 2 June

With the district of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald we can now welcome another district to the initiative. But now, as always, one after the other.:

Unterföhring in Bavaria, Eschweiler in North Rhine-Westphalia, Schenefeld in Schleswig-Holstein, the district Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald in Baden-Württemberg, Anröchte in North Rhine-Westphalia, Dobersdorf in Schleswig-Holstein, Wernigerode in Saxony-Anhalt and Temnitztal in Brandenburg.

Thank you for your commitment!

26 new members on 30 May

At this point, as always, in the order of the declaration of membership:
Lorsch in Hesse, Sylt and Gettorf in Schleswig-Holstein, Ingelheim am Rhein in Rhineland-Palatinate, Langenhagen and Schwanewede in Lower Saxony, Anzing and Geretsried in Bavaria, Goslar in Lower Saxony, Gimbsheim in Rhineland-Palatinate, Dallgow-Döberitz in Brandenburg, Markt Obernbreit, Traunstein and Oberpframmen in Bavaria, Wartenberg and Eppertshausen in Hesse, Eltmann and Hopferau in Bavaria, Hungen in Hessen, Lauda-Königshofen in Baden-Württemberg, Schwalmstadt in Hessen, Rehfelde in Brandenburg, Neuenhaus in Lower Saxony, Eggolsheim in Bavaria and Dornstetten and Pleidelsheim in Baden-Württemberg.

Thank you for your dedication!