E-cars to promote Bern - anticipation and criticism

This would bring public transport to a standstill, as Bern's Director of Security Reto Nause (CVP) explained. Instead, the Swiss E-Prix 2019 will run through the Obstberg area. The circuit runs via Aargauerstalden, Laubeggstrasse, Schosshaldenstrasse, Muristrasse and Grosser Muristalden.

This makes for great pictures against the unique backdrop of the old town, Nause noted. The Aargauerstalden is also ideally suited as a natural grandstand for spectators, as was already demonstrated in 2016 when the Tour de France made a guest appearance.

The city government approved the race last Friday. Nause was delighted that Bern is now on the Formula E tour calendar alongside global cities such as Paris, New York and Hong Kong. The federal city has the opportunity to combine a major public event with a discussion on sustainability.

"Mobility of the future"

This is because the city government does not see Formula E simply as a car race with racing cars hurtling through the streets at over 200 km/h. Instead, the supporting program will ensure that topics such as sustainability, the environment and the mobility of the future are extensively discussed.

The first Swiss Formula E race took place in Zurich last June and, according to the organizers, attracted over 150,000 spectators. The Zurich city government did not offer its support for a new edition in 2019, referring to other planned major events. The promoters therefore turned to Bern.

Less noise

They want to learn from the Zurich experience, as Pascal Derron, Head of Swiss E-Prix Operations, emphasized. This time, the noisy pit lane will be set up outside the circuit, at the Expo site. The construction work, which will begin in March, is to be kept as tight as possible. There must be no night work. Residents will be kept regularly informed about the progress of the work and notified of any closures in good time.

Restrictions "low"

Overall, the restrictions should be "relatively minor", the local council promises. Although there will be extensive traffic restrictions on the race weekend, pedestrians and cyclists should be able to move freely between the indoor and outdoor areas of the circuit at all times.

The city of Bern also made the organizers promise that holding the race would not lead to any permanent extensions or widening of the roads. The roads on the planned race route are already wide enough, said Derron, and only minor, temporary alterations are required.

Mixed reactions

In Bern, the municipal council's decision was met with a mixed response at the weekend, and not just from affected residents. Some harsh criticism came from the Greens, while SP politicians also expressed skepticism. When asked on Monday, Nause left open whether the red-green dominated, five-member city government was in agreement. "We are all happy now, some more, some less," said Nause. It is not yet clear whether the federal city will host Formula E races beyond 2019. Nause can also imagine a rotation with Zurich and a city in western Switzerland. (SDA)