Something that is clearly evident is that many individuals own a bicycle and that is their primary form of travel. There are bike lanes on almost every block that allows for the residents of Berlin to get to wherever they need to go. I find it very interesting that this concept of biking is introduced at a very young age. It’s adorable to see toddlers trying to balance themselves on their bike without pedals.
I also realized was how important it is to be aware of your surroundings because at any minute a biker will come rushing through. It is important to look around before crossing the street or simply walking on the side walk. The civilians here will definitely make sure to make themselves heard and seen, but that is not always the case. Sometimes individuals who are not familiar with the culture, do not know that you can’t walk on a specific part of the sidewalk that is designated for bikes. I witnessed a minor cyclist and pedestrian accident only after a couple of days being here. A couple had parked their vehicle and began walking on the bike lane while a cyclist was coming behind them. The cyclist tried to ring her bell, but it was too late. The cyclist crashed into the man, who was pretty tall and muscular, therefore he was not injured. However, the cyclist fell on to the sidewalk and hit her face. She told the couple that she was trying to warn them and the couple apologized, but they seemed as though they did not care.
I am very glad that my classmates and I were educated on this culture because had we not known, something like this would have happened to one of us.
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