Mountain bikers already ride through the hills of Berlin’s Volkspark Prenzlauer Berg. With her design, Sabine Seemann wants to further strengthen this use of the park. Not only the riders themselves, but also other park visitors should be able to immerse themselves in the sport. Sabine Seemann describes how these two groups come into contact with each other in her project presentation below. The work was created as part of the “Into the Wild” design studio at the TU Berlin.
Perspective, graphic: Sabine Seemann
It’s not just in our September 2023 issue that we make space for student projects. Students also present their own work on our website – for example in this article. You can find all the projects on our “Studies” topic page and the September issue is available in our store.
Bike and hike in the Prenzlauer mountains
Volkspark Prenzlauer Berg is becoming the new mountain bike hotspot in Berlin. The Volkspark, which was filled with rubble from the Second World War, is characterized in particular by its topography. This special topography is already used and appreciated by mountain bikers.
The design aims to promote the existing use of mountain biking and bring it into harmony with park visitors. Elements will be developed to make mountain biking visible, tangible and safe for walkers. This will create interesting intersections where the different flows of mountain bikers and visitors can meet at different height levels.
In addition to the crossing points, so-called contact points are also created between the two user groups. At these contact points, there is always the opportunity to meet at eye level within the park. For example, the wall rides at different heights provide dynamic moments between the two user groups.
Site plan, graphic: Sabine Seemann
Mountain biking is a highlight in the southern part of the park
Individual mountain bike elements such as doubles, step ups and step downs are also designed to provide riders with a challenge and enjoy the sport on the trails. These are based on the usual elements found on established mountain bike trails. Individual mountain bike elements will also be implemented on the trails for park visitors.
Wallwalks, sticks and stones as well as ups and downs bring the most common challenges to visitors without a bike. For example, there are always individual stations on the walking paths that can be negotiated on foot without cutting through the barrier-free access. In the southern section of the park around the Hohe Plateau, mountain biking is set to become a highlight.
Individual elements of "Riding the Hills", graphic: Sabine Seemann
Understand how challenging mountain biking can be
Riders can start their training with the so-called Towerride and the Northshore route (elevated mountain bike route) on the existing open land biotope. The tower ride on the high plateau is a circular tower that initially leads up a 20 percent incline to an intermediate level, the viewing platform. Here, mountain bikers can ride upwards on a one-meter-wide path.
In addition, a one-metre-wide asphalt path also leads up to the platform, which can be used by park visitors. Here, pedestrians can experience how challenging mountain biking can be on the steep ramp. From the viewing platform, visitors to the park get a great view of the continuing mountain bike route across the open land biotope.
The design was created as part of the “Into the Wild” design studio at the TU Berlin. You can read more about the background to the studio and Volkspark Prenzlauer Berg here, and discover more designs by students here.