The ADFC Sternfahrt is an annual Berlin tradition. Every year around the beginning of June, cyclists take over Berlin’s major streets for the ‘star ride’, headed towards the Siegessäule from dozens of points around the city and beyond. Yesterday marked the event’s 50th anniversary and drew over 30,000 cyclists from all over Germany.
Major roads, including the A100 and A115 highways, were cordoned off for the demonstration to allow people the rare opportunity of riding their bike on the Autobahn. As much a unique experience as a political protest, the goal of the ADFC Sternfahrt is to draw attention to the need for better cycling infrastructure and promote cycling as a safe and comfortable means of transportation.
“People genuinely want to cycle, yet politicians push them to the margins and send them onto unsafe routes,” says Marlene Alber of ADFC Berlin. “The future rides bikes!” was the motto of the semicentennial edition of the event.
