Rideshare bench on Usedom: New hope or security risk?

Rideshare bench on Usedom: New hope or security risk?

Usedom, the popular holiday island on the Baltic Sea, has introduced an interesting innovation in mobility: a shared ride that does not require a timetable or digital technologies. This innovative solution, which has been located on the main street in Karlshagen next to the “Fire Brigade” bus stop since April, offers a creative way for travelers to reach their destinations. The blue side of the bank is intended for trips to Zinnowitz, while the white side points towards Wolgast. In a region where public transportation is limited, especially out of season, this could be a welcome change. As moin.de reports, the ideas originated in a motorcycle tour by deputy mayor Stefan Bethke.

The idea behind the rideshare bench is simple: you sit down, wait and hope to get a ride from passing drivers. The initiative is intended not only to offer a practical solution, but also to promote social contact while enabling environmentally conscious mobility. The island's own tourism business provided the bench and a sponsor financed the corresponding sign. The passengers are covered by passenger accident insurance, which offers a little more security in this unusual form of mobility.

Safety and Usage Considerations

But the acceptance of the ride-sharing bench is not without controversy. On social networks, users express both enthusiasm for the idea and concerns. Women in particular report uncertainty about possible security risks. Some have positive memories of hitchhiking in their youth, while others express concerns about potential crime. In this context, there are also similar experiences from other regions of Germany, where various ride-share benches have been set up, as sueddeutsche.de describes.

A number of cities and districts, such as Nienhagen in Lower Saxony or Schleusingen in Thuringia, have already started similar initiatives. Colorful wooden benches were set up there to offer those waiting the opportunity to get a ride. The initiative is intended to improve mobility in rural areas and reduce dependence on one's own car. However, despite positive feedback, some studies show that usage rates are often low. Residents report little to no use of the ride-share benches, while older people often have concerns about giving strangers rides in their cars.

In some regions, such as Neunkirchen, trust badges for drivers and passengers have been introduced to promote safety. There are also insurance policies that cover accidents, which provides additional security. In these cases, regular carpools have even been formed - even if the carpool benches are not heavily used. A total of ten minimobile benches were installed in Schleusingen, which have a uniform design and are located near bus stops. The municipality did not bear any costs for this, so the project can serve as a model for other regions seeking similar solutions.

The rideshare bank in Karlshagen is not only a new way to get from A to B, but also reflects the current trend of creating innovative mobility solutions in rural areas. It remains to be seen how this type of transport will develop on Usedom and whether it will ultimately find the desired popularity.