Sternfahrt 2007 - Bikes on the Autobahn

Last Sunday the annual "Sternfahrt" took place and I was in the masses. Labelled as a bicycle demonstration, it is in essence a number of bike routes through Berlin that sort of resemble the pattern of a star ( (for the most ambitious there is even a route that starts in Greifswald, which is about 250 km from Berlin starting at 4 AM). All the bikers converge in great numbers around the Siegesäule (large roundabout close to the Brandburg Gate) in an Finale fit for an Opera. The event is organized by the German Cycling Federation (ADFC).

This year for the first time, I was accompanied by my family with my two kids in the bike trailer. That made it perhaps a bit more challenging, but the kids had a lot of fun. Especially the long stretch across the autobahn was especially exciting for them. This Sternfahrt was more crowded than in previous years, even though it was overcast. My theory: if it was a glaring, sunny day most people would probably prefer to go somewhere where they could cool down (like the beach, or an out beer-garden); on a rainy day, most would rather stay dry at home. The kids were beat when we finally arrived at the Siegesäule. We skimmed through the Eco-fair that was taking place, I had a glimpse of Christian Ströbele (famous politician of the Green Party here in Berlin) with his trademark red scarf. And on our way back we had to endure a very crowded train and the bulky bike trailer only barely managed budge inside.