Encounter in Neukölln: “Is this really a bicycle?” – “Yes, the law says so”

This morning, on the bicycle lane in Neukölln , which is my commute, a four-wheeled vehicle drove in front of me. It was clearly powered by an electric motor and equipped with a cargo box at least two meters high. I was curious to see what would happen at the first one-way street sign. Cars must turn here; only cyclists are permitted to continue riding against the one-way street. This has significantly reduced car traffic on the bicycle lane.

The sign appeared, and the vehicle continued on. Illegal? The traffic light where Weserstraße meets Kottbusser Damm was red, so I stopped next to the vehicle. "Is that a bicycle?" I asked the driver. He: "Yes." I: "Who says that?" He: "The law." Then the light turned green, and I watched as he continued on the bike path along Urbanstraße.

When I got to the office, I googled and learned: It's complicated. In addition to bicycles, e-bikes up to 25 km/h are allowed on the bike path; if they meet this requirement, they are technically referred to as pedelecs. E-scooters up to 20 km/h, cargo bikes (up to 25 km/h or without a motor), and bicycle rickshaws (tricycles) are allowed on the bike path. But!! But: Electric bicycles are divided into three classes: pedelecs, e-bikes, and S-pedelecs. Only pedelecs have the same legal status as bicycles. Fast e-bikes or S-pedelecs are legally classified as mopeds. They function like pedelecs, but thanks to their motors they can reach speeds of 45 km/h. You need an operating permit, a license plate, and a moped license. Unfortunately, I can't remember if the vehicle I saw had a license plate.

My daily cycling life is characterized by a wide variety of vehicles, all of which can make the bike path unsafe. Some have a dangerous mass of 600 kilograms, many are faster than me, or so wide (cargo bikes carrying children) that it's impossible to overtake them. In any case, my life as a cyclist has become considerably more stressful.