Lessingstrasse in Bremerhaven: Car-free for more safety and peace!

Lessingstrasse in Bremerhaven: Car-free for more safety and peace!

Lessingstrasse in Bremerhaven will soon be car-free. OnJune 17, 2025The official decision is made to close the frequently used street, which has long been criticized by residents for its traffic and noise. The decision lies in the hands of a coalition of SPD, CDU and FDP, who want to set an example for the local transport turnaround. Traffic will be closed to cars from Potsdamer Straße, while pedestrians and cyclists will continue to have access.

A key element of the planning is the use of removable bollards, which will continue to allow access for garbage trucks and ambulances. The entrances on Jahnstrasse and Stromstrasse are secured by barriers. According to CNV Media The aim is to implement the blocking by the end of the year at the latest.

A place with history

Lessingstrasse is best known as the so-called “sex mile”, which is home to several brothels. However, these operators express the desire for more safety for women and customers and support the introduction of an official traffic ban, similar to other cities such as Hamburg and Bremen. This was discussed during coalition negotiations between the parties as it could change the street's current traffic classification as a normal address. NWZ Online further reports that residents are ready to talk about transforming the road, comparable to a regional airport.

The discussion about Lessingstrasse fits into a larger trend that we can observe in many European cities - the creation of pedestrian zones. This offers safer spaces for shopping and strolling and has a positive impact on the quality of life of city residents. Use your place points out that pedestrian areas often support important economic centers of a city and can be redesigned to provide attractive landscapes and seating areas.

The path to the pedestrian zone

There is a long history of pedestrian zones in Germany, starting with the first in Oldenburg in 1953. They help to relieve the surrounding area of ​​traffic and at the same time offer an attractive perspective for retail. Pedestrian zones are not only a safe space for citizens, but also represent an economic opportunity for local businesses.

The transformation of Lessingstrasse could be the starting signal for a variety of similar initiatives in Bremerhaven. The city is already planning to further advance the concept of a pedestrian-friendly city center. It will be exciting to see what the implementation of the closure and the reactions of residents and business owners will be.