Transitioning Transport Space : Understanding the barriers to realising the cycling project Radbahn in Berlin

Abstract: Global, as well as local environmental problems, demand a transition of the current fossil-fuel dependent transport system. On the urban level, the bicycle as a sustainable transport mode is gaining importance, as in Berlin. To what extent Berlin is facing a transition of its transport system is discussed in this thesis. The multi-level perspective on societal transitions by Geels and Schot (2007) serves as the theoretical framework. A literature review made it possible to present factors stabilising as well as destabilising Berlin’s current transport regime. Even if it is considered to be robust against change, there are severe pressures from the macro-level, like environmental and health impacts and growing mobility demand. Berlin’s new Mobility Act is even one example of a successfully broken through innovation that has led to regime changes. Hence, niche-innovations, like the cycling project Radbahn are considered to be important for transitions. But there are aspects complicating a breaking through of such niche-innovations. Through semi-structured expert interviews with stakeholders, identified through a stakeholder analysis in advance, barriers to realising theRadbahnare identified. The results show realisation difficulties related to the legislative context and to the administrative system in Berlin. In addition, there are other aspects connected to the innovative nature of the project, its design and the routing that may cause difficulties.