Lichtenberg Prioritizes Safety, Traffic Flow, and Cycling in January 2026

Mobility in Lichtenberg: Safety, Sustainability, and Digital Innovation

In January 2026, the district of Lichtenberg in Berlin set a clear course for a sustainable, safe, and efficient transport system. The District Council and its committees decided on a range of measures that have both local and regional implications. The focus was particularly on improving traffic safety, strengthening cycling infrastructure, and introducing digital solutions for traffic flow.

Improving Safety for Cyclists and Pedestrians

The Hohenschönhauser Straße was a central topic in January. The proposal by the Die Linke faction to install marked cycle protection lanes in both directions between Weißenseer Weg and Landsberger Allee was approved. This decision was based on the dangerous traffic situation caused by narrow lanes, parked vehicles, and inadequate sidewalks. The implementation of the protection lanes is a key step in relieving cyclists and improving traffic safety in a highly frequented area.

In addition, speed limits were reduced to 30 km/h at several pedestrian crossings (FGÜ) in Lichtenberg. Affected areas include the Egon-Erwin-Kisch-Str., Gensinger Straße, and Storkower Straße. The SPD faction argued the need for safer school routes, access to social facilities, and accident prevention—especially in the context of a fatal accident in August 2025. The amendment to the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) enabled the 30 km/h limit at FGÜ without the need to prove accident hotspots, which accelerated implementation.

New Traffic Concepts: Express Bus Line and Radbahn U5

Another focus was on improving connections between district districts. The proposal by the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen faction for an express bus line (X-Bus line) between Neu-Hohenschönhausen and Berlin-Buch was adopted. The goal is to optimize traffic connections and make public transport more attractive, particularly before the completion of the S-Bahn extension to Karower Kreuz (2030). The line is intended to serve as a cost-effective alternative to the existing bus line 893, which currently requires a detour through Brandenburg and a C-ticket.

In addition, the proposal to support the Radbahn U5 by the Lichtenberg and Marzahn-Hellersdorf district administrations was approved. The Senate Department for Mobility, Transport, Climate Protection, and the Environment (SenMVKU) is to be supported financially and with personnel. Lichtenberg alone is not able to implement the cross-district Radbahn, which underlines the need for cooperation. The Radbahn U5 is seen as a forward-looking connection between the two districts.

Digital Traffic Control: Google Green Light as a Pilot Project

With the "Google Green Light" project, Lichtenberg is turning to innovation. The district will serve as a pilot area for the AI-supported optimization of traffic light switching. The goal is to improve traffic flow on highly frequented main roads such as the Landsberger Allee or Frankfurter Allee without the need for construction measures or new hardware. Comparable projects in Hamburg have already shown success: waiting times were reduced by up to 30% and CO₂ emissions by 10%. Lichtenberg also benefits from the fact that the priority control for public transport, especially trams, is not affected by the optimization.

Forward-Looking Planning: School Route Plans and Traffic Safety

In the field of education and mobility, Lichtenberg took forward-looking measures. The Committee for Schools and Sports decided to provide school route plans for elementary school children at new school locations well in advance of a move. This strengthens the orientation of students, relieves parents, and enables better planning of safety measures. In addition, a review mandate was adopted to set up "winter playgrounds" in gymnasiums to create mobility opportunities during the cold season.

Outlook: Sustainability and Cooperation as the Key

Lichtenberg is showing itself in January 2026 as a district that reacts to both local safety needs and forward-looking traffic concepts. The decisions reflect a clear focus on sustainability, safety, and innovation. The implementation of the adopted measures will be crucial in the coming months to sustainably improve mobility in the district and to increase the quality of life for residents.