Citizen scientists in Berlin call for better access to sustainable transportation

Discussion with Thomas Seerig, State Advisory Council for People with Disabilities; Dr. Almut Neumann, former district councilor in Berlin-Mitte; Dr. Vivian Frick, IÖW; two sign language interpreters; Michael Fugel, infraVelo; Dr. Claudia Leistner, district councilor in Treptow-Köpenick; Oda Hassepaß, Member of the Berlin House of Representatives.

For a year, more than 200 citizens of Berlin worked together with Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) and the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW) to explore how healthy and equitable mobility can be achieved in Berlin. On March 27, 2026, they presented their findings from the “AMBER” project, funded by the Federal Ministry of Research. Their conclusion: The needs of disadvantaged groups have been neglected in Berlin’s road space and public transport. To make active mobility – such as walking or cycling – more attractive for everyone, what is needed first and foremost is not new laws or technical innovations, but rather the consistent implementation of existing legal frameworks and the strengthening of infrastructure. The citizens participating in the study summarized what they consider to be the key requirements for improving mobility in Berlin in a policy proposal addressed to policymakers. 

Study highlights the needs of people from disadvantaged backgrounds 

From April 2025 to March 2026, participants completed several questionnaires about their daily mobility. Many of them also joined research groups to collect additional data. “Among other things, the research groups conducted interviews, wrote letters from the future, edited neighborhood maps, and took over 130 snapshots of good or bad examples. We reviewed and sorted through these materials together to figure out what needs to change so that we feel comfortable in Berlin,” says participant Ulrike Orlowski. 

The study was specifically aimed at people who experience discrimination or face particular obstacles as they navigate the city: families with young children, older adults, people who use wheelchairs, walkers, or have chronic illnesses, deaf or visually impaired people, and people with a migration background. 

“Citizen science can bring the diversity of perspectives to light. That is the contribution of our study, because the needs of disadvantaged people in particular have been underrepresented in mobility research and policy to date,” says Professor Jan Keller, FU Berlin, who leads the research group “Active mobility for maintained benefits of health and environment – AMBER” together with Dr. Vivian Frick from the IÖW.

“We thank all participants and are impressed by the great commitment of the citizen scientists,” emphasizes Frick. “We engaged in intensive discussions with citizens about issues of mobility equity. Among other things, it has become clear that designing mobility to be equitable and healthy means, above all, allocating resources to the care, maintenance, and expansion of barrier-free infrastructure and climate-resilient public spaces.” 

What does healthy mobility imply in everyday life?

According to police data, between 2015 and 2025, 33 to 56 people still died each year in Berlin traffic accidents. Greater emphasis should be placed on protecting lives and health. Safe and accessible bike lanes and sidewalks also offer additional health benefits, as regular exercise can prevent chronic diseases and reduce stress. Heat protection, air quality control, and noise reduction are also important aspects of healthy mobility. 

Mostly – according to the citizen scientists in their policy paper – this means reducing motorized private transportation in the city by giving it lower priority. But how feasible is car-free mobility in everyday life? That depends on several factors, such as safe, barrier-free walking and cycling routes and a well-developed public transport system. Effective heat protection – such as trees along bike paths and green bus stops – is also becoming increasingly important, according to the participating citizens. 

“Accessible mobility benefits everyone”

Thomas Seerig, Chair of the Berlin State Advisory Council for People with Disabilities and a panelist at the presentation of the findings, says: “No one needs barriers if they want to live their life independently. Accessibility therefore means self-determination for everyone – whether with or without disabilities – especially when it comes to mobility. And that ultimately benefits everyone.” 

Study participant Ulrike Orlowski cites two examples: “When crossings are clearly laid out and free of curbs, it benefits not only wheelchair users, but also parents with strollers, children, and people of short stature. When bike paths are wide enough for people who rely on tricycles to ride comfortably, they are safe and convenient for everyone.”

Participant Christine Damaschke also emphasizes how important barrier-free mobility is for an independent life – starting with the immediate living environment: “Broken elevators and the lack of emergency and guidance systems make participation in social life and community virtually impossible.” Referring to the demands that have been developed, she adds: “It is particularly important to us that everyone is taken into account. That’s not easy: what helps some people can be an obstacle for others. But solutions can be found if there is a will to do so.”

The Citizen Scientists identified various mobility solutions, such as promoting eco-friendly transportation or ensuring barrier-free design in public spaces, which have long been enshrined in laws and strategies. The citizen scientists’ key demand is therefore that the implementation of Berlin’s Mobility Act and Disability Equality Act no longer be delayed, and that investments – rather than cuts –be made, particularly in eco-friendly transportation, to ensure the health and inclusion of all people in Berlin.

About the Project

The “Active mobility for maintained benefits of health and environment – AMBER” project brings together researchers from the fields of health psychology, environmental social sciences, public health, meteorology, and sustainability management. At its core are two citizen science studies, taking place in Berlin from 2025 to 2026 and in Frankfurt (Oder) from 2026 to 2027. More about the study: www.mobil-auf-deine-weise.de/en

The project, led by Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) and the Institute for Ecological Economy Research (IÖW), is part of the “Global Change: Climate, Environment, and Health” funding program of the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology, and Space (BMFTR).

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Further information

• Citizen scientists’ position paper (in German)
• Insights into the work of the research groups (in German)
• Video with citizen scientists (YouTube)