While some local government officials are trying to get Pokemon GO out of public spaces, the Mayor of Dusseldorf has taken the opposite approach, blocking off a bridge in the city so that players can catch pocket monsters in safety.
Photo: かげきだん ゆ
The Girardet bridge, a small crossing over the Düssel (a tributary of the Rhine), is normally open to both pedestrians and cars. But because the bridge has PokeStops at either end — which can all be accessed if you’re on the bridge itself — it’s become a hotspot for players, with people coming from as far away as Holland to get in on the action.
With the crowds becoming too large for cars to pass safely, RP reports the Mayor has transport officials on-hand to close the bridge to traffic whenever necessary, leaving Pokemon GO players safe to do their thing. Authorities have also brought in portable toilets and extra garbage bins to cater for the influx of extra people in the area.
Officials blocking the bridge entrances. Photo: RP
If that’s not nice enough, the local bus service is also planning special Pokemon GO trips where players can be driven around to the city’s best and most popular catching spots.
Thanks Dominik!
Comments
6 responses to “German Mayor Closes Bridge Just For Pokemon GO Players”
Seems sensible – good for tourism/local hospitality industries for the area.
It’s nice when officials remember what they’re there do to in the first place – cater to public needs. This guy instead of questioning and being bewildered by the trend has just rolled with the change in the community.
Be nice if more politicians were like that.
I sometimes wonder what it would be like to live in a more open and progressive country, rather than a Nanny country with a conservative backwards government and a police force that Rules with an Iron fist because it’s “needs to protect the public”.
If this story was in Australia, it would read “Local council calls for tighter security on the Girardet bridge after gang of PokeYouths disregard public safety and law by dangerously blocking roads and preventing good, hardworking wealthy Australians from taking the shortest path to the shops in their Range Rovers. Speaking on behalf of the Typical City Council, Mr Arsehat has said that the council will be working with local police to try and keep youths off the bridge, and out of the area, but if private Security companies need to be deployed, it would be the tax payers who have to foot the bill.
In an official announcement by Mayor Dicklicker, he has confirmed that they have contacted Niantic and requested the Pokestops Be removed immediately, as well as any other Pokestops and Gyms in the wider Australian area.”
This made my morning!
That bridge is directly across from my office, its been crazy here the last week…soooo many people. The roads on either side of the canal are one way only so its been a challenge at times for traffic.
Having said that, I haven’t seen any outright idiocy, everyone has been pretty sensible given the crowds.