Park(ing) Day Leipzig: Eisenbahnstrasse becomes car-free

Leipzig. Starting this afternoon, Eisenbahnstrasse in the east of Leipzig will be car-free between Hermann-Liebmann-Strasse and Torgauer Platz from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. During this time, the parking spaces and lanes will be used as meeting places on the so-called Park(ing) Day. The campaign by the Leipzig environmental association “Ökolöwe” and the Eisenbahnstrasse action alliance is part of the European Mobility Week.

On Park(ing) Day, which has been held annually in Leipzig since 2011, parking spaces in the city are transformed into relaxation areas, outdoor seating and reading corners with deck chairs and often sofas. Cars spend an average of 23 hours a day in parking spaces and block public space, said the Leipzig local group of Fridays for Future on Tuesday. Park(ing) Day is intended to show what it would be like if new open spaces for people were created instead of parking spaces. In addition to Eisenbahnstrasse, registered parking spaces throughout the city are becoming action sites. The idea for Park(ing) Day comes from the USA. In 2005, an artist collective in San Francisco called for it for the first time.

Climate activists from Fridays for Future are calling for a global climate strike on Park(ing) Day and are planning numerous rallies in the parking spaces on the topics of transport transition, free public transport and bicycle infrastructure. They will also campaign for the decriminalization of fare evasion.

European Mobility Week: car-free ring in Leipzig

After Eisenbahnstrasse, the Leipzig city ring will also be car-free for one day on September 22nd. Mayor Burkhard Jung and Mayor for Construction Thomas Dienberg will symbolically open the car-free ring at 12 noon – more than 40 activities have been registered. Skaters, cyclists and pedestrians can conquer the ring until 9 p.m. There will be restrictions for drivers from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., but trams and buses will run regularly. The aim of the European Mobility Week is to introduce people to sustainable mobility.

LVZ