File this one under "another cultural myth exposed." The general view/knock on my countrymen here in Germany is that they absolutely, rigidly, and yes, blindly-- follow the letter of the law--is utterly untrue. This photo is is from a large construction site (an extension of the subway line is well underway here), and all foot traffic has temporarily been re-routed to this narrow strip of pavement. The sign you see is at both ends of this trail translates to "cyclists dismount," and is clear as day. I have yet to see a single cyclist walk their bike on this 100 foot path-- but I have seen plenty of near misses with pedestrians. I have multiple camera shots of the locals smoking up a storm in bus and tram stop booth/windbreaks with a "no smoking" sign over their shoulders, but this is a better example of this phenomenon. No, as a whole Germans aren't a nation of scofflaws, but they are not rule-following robots either. It is safe to say that Germans will follow the law-- as long as they agree with it.
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