Reallabor Radbahn Berlin. One of the most ambitious urban transformation
@street_experiments
What is
@radbahn_berlin ?
The project started from the visionary idea (dating back to around 2014) of creating a continuous, covered cycle route beneath Berlin’s historic U1 viaduct, stretching from Bahnhof Zoo to Oberbaumbrücke. Far beyond being just a bike path, the Radbahn was conceived as a vibrant urban corridor, blending cycling infrastructure with communal, green, and climate-resilient public space.
Why a “Real-World Lab”?
Rather than attempting to build the full nine-kilometer route all at once, Reallabor Radbahn took an iterative approach: building a temporary test site to experiment, gather feedback, and refine designs with real-time public participation. This iterative, participatory methodology helps turn bold ideas into feasible, tested solutions.
How did the process unfold?
A 200-meter test stretch was constructed under the U1 viaduct in Kreuzberg (between Kottbusser Tor and Görlitzer Bahnhof) to explore design, materials, lighting, greenery, urban furniture, water management, and even a small bike repair station.
Construction began in late 2023, overcoming winter challenges and incorporating innovations like reed-based test-bed filters for rainwater management.
On April 25, 2024, the test site opened with a lively public launch featuring performances, guided tours, and live music.
Through June 15, 2024, the space was actively used, tested, and surveyed by over 1,200 participants, generating rich data for evaluation.
What’s next?
The learnings from the test phase are now informing how to scale the Radbahn concept. The project’s infrastructure (e.g. lighting, seating, greenery) is being sustained, while discussions continue to plan larger-scale implementation. In September 2024, a press conference signaled the transition to a third phase: leveraging learned insights toward broader realization.
As cities worldwide look for ways to foster sustainable mobility and inclusive public space, Reallabor
@radbahnberlin is a compelling example: not only of visionary thinking but of adaptive, people-centered implementation.
