
Calls grow for more child-friendly mobility in German cities
23/05/2025
3 minutes
Source: Pedeles and eBikes
A recent report from the Clean Cities Network reveals that, in comparison to other European cities, German cities are lagging behind in creating child-friendly mobility environments.
While some initiatives, such as school streets, have been implemented, truly safe routes remain scarce with key features like 30 km/h speed limits and dedicated bike lanes still uncommon across much of the country. In contrast, cities like Paris, London, and Helsinki have made significant progress.
From May 5 to 25, tens of thousands are expected to join nationwide and European demonstrations during the “Roads Are for Everyone” action weeks. These will include Kidical Mass bike rides, school street initiatives, and bicycle buses — all aimed at making streets safer and more accessible for children, ultimately improving quality of life for everyone.
Simone Kraus, Spokeswoman for the Kidical Mass Action Alliance says “We are not making absurd demands. For years, we have been focusing on a traffic turnaround with the child standard: school streets, 30 km/h, safe cycle paths. This is a win for all generations! It’s great that the study proves exactly this connection with data. Now it is time for German cities to learn from European role models, show the courage to change and finally get started!”.
Calls for change in improving child-friendly mobility settings
Jens Müller, Deputy Director of the Clean Cities Network states, “Children who move a lot are happier, healthier and learn more easily at school. Safe routes to school should therefore be the norm in every city. Our neighboring countries show how this can be done. Anyone walking through Paris today, for example, hardly recognizes the city. Above all thanks to school streets, safe speed limits and protected cycle paths, which can also be implemented quickly and without great costs elsewhere.”
There are calls for leaders at all levels to prioritize child-friendly mobility, with the 2024 amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations being expected to bring more flexibility to German municipalities.
Supporting this push, the 2025 City Ranking on Child-Friendly Mobility evaluates 36 European cities based on child-centric transport planning, using criteria from the EU Commission and UNICEF. These include the percentage of primary schools with school streets, roads with 30 km/h speed limits, and the availability of safe cycling infrastructure.
Among German cities, Munich ranked 12th, Berlin 15th, Cologne 17th, and Hamburg 18th — results that highlight considerable room for improvement. Paris currently leads the ranking, with London boasting the highest number of school streets near primary schools, and Helsinki setting an example with its extensive network of protected bike lanes.
The latest findings underscore both the progress made and the challenges that remain in advancing child-friendly mobility across Europe. While cities like Paris, London, and Helsinki are setting strong examples, German cities have room for improvement. With upcoming regulatory changes and increased attention on the issue through events like “Roads Are for Everyone,” there is potential for municipalities to take further steps in prioritizing safe and sustainable mobility for children.