Bicycle Hub Tours in Düsseldorf: Station Missions and Democracy Workshops On the Move
The Bahnhofsmission, a long-standing social service at German train stations, is set to introduce a new initiative aimed at fostering community engagement and social inclusion. A cargo bike, equipped with seating and storage for meetings and conversations, will be touring Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz on two dates: March 24 and April 21, from 2 to 4 pm each time.
This unique bicycle, dubbed the "Bahnhofsmission bicycle for blessing and democracy," serves as a tangible, symbolic, and functional focal point that encourages social interaction, inclusion, and democratic participation. While specific details about this project at Düsseldorf station were not found, the broader role of Bahnhofsmission services and similar community-oriented projects near train stations can be outlined.
Traditionally, the Bahnhofsmission offers support and aid to vulnerable groups such as homeless people, refugees, and travelers in need, fostering social inclusion and community care. Initiatives like the bicycle for blessing and democracy likely act as a community engagement tool, promoting values such as social solidarity, environmental consciousness (through bicycle use), and democratic involvement by inviting diverse people to participate in related events or conversations near the busy public space of a main train station.
Train stations, such as Düsseldorf’s, are vital public hubs where many disparate community members pass through or gather. Placing symbolic bicycles or organizing blessing events there enhances community visibility, dialogue, and cooperation among residents, travelers, and local organizations. Supporting infrastructure improvements for bicycles near train stations, as seen in other German cities such as Hamburg, further encourages sustainable mobility and strengthens the social fabric by connecting people in more accessible, inclusive ways.
The cargo bike, financed with the support of the Deutsche Bahn Foundation, was presented on Bertha-von-Suttner-Platz on February 24 during its inauguration. The bike, equipped by Dirk Schmidt's carpentry workshop, can be easily converted into a meeting place with tables and chairs. It has storage space under the box with side tables, where a parasol will find its place, as well as holders for drinks and a box for sweets and provisions.
The goal of the bike is to bring people together across all religions. The inauguration of the bike included a blessing from the evangelical pastor Peter Krogull and the Catholic deacon Luis Aquino. The cooperation partner for this project is the association Arbeit und Leben.
The Bahnhofsmission is currently seeking volunteers to manage the bike. Interested parties can contact Barbara Kempnich at phone number 0211 36 28 28 or email [email protected]. Kempnich hopes that the Zukunftswerkstatt will soon provide a place in their bike station for the blue speedster. The goal is to invite people to meet at the bike weekly in the summer.
This cargo bike, equipped for meetings and conversations, serves as a symbolic instrument to foster community engagement and social inclusion at Düsseldorf station, encouraging diverse individuals to gather and engage in activities that promote democratic involvement, social solidarity, and environmental consciousness. As a vital public hub where homes-and-garden meet lifestyles, train stations like Düsseldorf's can greatly benefit from such community-oriented projects and home-and-garden improvements that strengthen the social fabric and organization, making it a more inclusive and livable space for all.
