In 2023, there were 7,032 bike accidents reported in Berlin (these are only the incidents officially recorded by the police, so the actual number may be even higher). That same year, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the leading political party in Berlin, began scaling back the goals of the Mobility Act (Mobilitätsgesetz) introduced in 2018. This legislation was initially designed to improve traffic conditions, especially for cyclists and pedestrians. As an active cyclist in Berlin, this project was especially meaningful to me. I created this map to highlight high-risk areas and contribute to the conversation on improving street safety for cyclists!
The map displays the area within the S-Bahn Ring of Berlin, using a graduated color scheme to illustrate the density of accidents along each street. The top three streets with the highest number of accidents are highlighted for additional emphasis. Each individual point represents a single accident.
The inset map focuses on the area around Linienstraße, showcasing not only the accident locations but also the types of road users involved. This area serves as a striking example of poor traffic planning, as Linienstraße is designated as a bike street with restricted access for motor vehicles (except for residents). Despite this, it has an unusually high number of accidents, including those involving cars.
This map was developed using QGIS to calculate the graduated color scheme for accidents along 100-meter street segments. The final layout, labels, and design elements – including icons and symbols – were created in Adobe Illustrator.
Have a look at all the interesting details in the large png (4mb).
The map was created as part of the course Project Map Creation at TU Wien in summer semester 2024.
Student: Pia Wolffram