9th OpenKiellinie on Sunday, May 3, 2026
On Sunday, May 3, 2026, the ninth OpenKiellinie event will take place as a real-world laboratory for a car-free Kiellinie Nord. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the section between the Düsternbrook Seebadeanstalt and Koesterallee will be closed to motor vehicle traffic and open to the public.
Since August 2024 more than 35.000 visitors have had the opportunity, on the first Sunday of every summer month, to experience how the quality of the stay, safety, and opportunities for use along the Kiellinie have changed without motorized traffic. OpenKiellinie thus highlights the potential that this central waterfront space offers to the general public.
“Especially given that parts of the MFG-5 area, Schleusenpark Wik, and adjacent areas will no longer be open to the public in the future, Kiellinie Nord is becoming increasingly important as a freely accessible waterfront space,” says Benjamin Roloff. “What is being lost elsewhere can be preserved and further developed here for the people of Kiel.”
The Petition for a car-free Kiellinie, which has already gained 2,322 supporters, calls for a permanent car-free design for the northern section of the Kiellinie, a seasonal, temporary opening to the public without motor vehicle traffic from June to September, and an accompanying traffic and action plan for neighboring neighborhoods.
“Preserving and enhancing access to and recreational areas along the waterfront strengthens Kiel as an active, climate-conscious, and livable city by the sea,” said Paul Frederik Frost. “Waterfront roads with the characteristics of expressways are no longer compatible with urban life and are not sustainable.”
The Düsternbrook public pool and the Seebar are open and remain fully accessible by car from the south. All paths are open to pedestrians and cyclists. The road closure for motor vehicle traffic begins in the southern section of Kiellinie, starting at the crosswalk at the seaside resort, and in the north, south of Koesterallee.
Anyone who would like to contribute their own ideas and activities to revitalize the Kiellinie — whether they are initiatives, organizations, or individuals — is warmly welcome. Activities such as bike courses, painting classes, or yoga are just as welcome as information booths, for example on topics related to sustainable urban development, mobility, and marine and environmental protection. Please use the contact address below for any questions or to coordinate your participation.
An open networking event will take place on the day of the event at 2 p.m. at the information tents.
In addition to the meeting, an open traffic count will be conducted via the platform www.verkehrserfassung.org All residents are invited to participate without registering and to record traffic on-site. The goal is to gather comparative data with regular Sundays and to highlight how traffic volume and distribution in the neighborhood change during OpenKiellinie. The platform is operated by the OpenKiellinie initiative and serves to transparently display traffic movements.
For more information visit:
Mailkontakt: orga@openkiellinie.info
Instagram: @OpenKiellinie – www.instagram.com/openkiellinie/
Mastodon: @OpenKiellinie – www.norden.social/@OpenKiellinie
Webseite: kiellinie.autofrei.jetzt/
Petition: www.change.org/AutofreieKiellinie
Press contact:
Name: Paul Frederik Frost
E-Mail: presse@openkiellinie.info