Urban mobility and safety initiatives organized in Cologne and Mainz

Various mobility and safety initiatives are being organized in German cities to address urban transport challenges. In Cologne, a mobility action day is scheduled for September 26 at Neumarkt. The event focuses on practical experience and advice, including rollator training, electric wheelchair handling, and bicycle security checks. Torsten Buchmann of the German Road Safety Council (DVR) noted that as life expectancy increases, the number of rollator users in the streets is expected to rise, necessitating more barrier-free infrastructure to ensure social participation and independence.

In Mainz, the Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD) has called for a large children's bicycle demonstration on September 20, 2026, under the motto ‘Streets are for everyone’. The event aims to advocate for safer cycling and walking environments for children and youth. Dr. Matze Borsdorf of VCD Rheinhessen criticized current local conditions, stating that many schools remain difficult to reach by bike due to inadequate paths. The demonstration seeks to pressure city administration to improve infrastructure, such as creating protected bike lanes, implementing school street zones, and addressing illegal parking on sidewalks and cycle paths.