Berlin (part 2)
Things got back to normal by Monday. I got a bike, and Nick had scavenged a couple of broken bikes and frankenstein them into something usable. I forget what else we did that day, but I know we rode around a bit, and ended up in a bar near Tif’s work in Kreuzberg that we had checked out on our first visit there. We talked about all the things we should have talked about before and made loose plans for the rest of our time, or at least tomorrow.
Notes on Berlin bike culture:
- About half the bikes on the road are the Dutch cruiser style. Also a lot of mountain bikes with good shocks for the cobblestones, and plenty of nice road and track bikes. 90% of these bikes are left locked only to themselves, often with the flimsiest of locks. A less honest person than myself could have a field day.
- It’s possible that bike theft is less of a problem due to requirements that bikes be registered. When I bought mine, the guy gave me a piece of paper which I understand I would need to show if I was stopped for any reason. Or are Germans just really honest/trusting?
- Also required by law: rear and head lamps, and front and rear brakes. Even bikes with back-pedal brakes (very common) have front hand brakes. Fixies with no hand brakes are illegal.
- Everyone rides, young, old, professional, grungy, spandex, business suits….
- Lots of bike lanes, where you want them.
- Cars are aware of and respectful of bicycles. Not one door was ever opened in our path. In fact, there are generally far fewer cars on the road, and they never seem to be in a hurry, cutting people off, or making quick moves. Even cabs. Super respectful; I never felt that “everyone’s trying to kill me!” cyclist road rage that seems to happen at least once every ride in Toronto.
