In Munich’s Laim district, residents of a multi-family building on Gotthardstraße have been facing a growing traffic and safety issue for several weeks. Shared mobility vehicles, particularly e-scooters, are regularly parked in front of the entrance to their inner courtyard—often blocking access entirely. The situation has become a daily burden for many, especially for 82-year-old Arnold Praxl, who voiced his frustration with what he called an “intolerable” condition.
The blocked entrance also serves as an official fire lane. As such, improperly parked scooters and bikes not only inconvenience residents but could critically hinder emergency services in the event of a fire or medical emergency.
The problem dates back to early February, when the City of Munich installed a designated “shared parking area for micromobility” directly beside the entrance gate. The zone, marked by a sign, was intended as a dedicated space for e-scooters, bicycles, and e-mopeds. Public rental bikes are also frequently left there.
While the city’s Department of Mobility specified that the site is intended to hold “up to 41 e-scooters, 17 bicycles, or 15 e-mopeds,” real-world usage has far exceeded this capacity. The location’s proximity to the busy Laimer Platz U-Bahn station means that commuters often abandon their scooters directly in front of the building entrance—effectively blocking the driveway for residents.
Arnold Praxl depends on his camper van for daily mobility, but has found himself trapped multiple times due to blocked access. “There have been days when 15 scooters were standing right in front of the gate,” he said. “Just recently, I couldn’t get my vehicle out at all because the entrance was completely obstructed.”
His wife, Marion Praxl, 68, added: “It’s not just us. Five of our neighbors rely on being able to get in and out with their cars every day. One of them had to move about 20 scooters just to leave. Whoever designed this setup clearly had no practical understanding of the situation.”
The Praxl family and their neighbors are calling for immediate changes to the layout. “This parking zone has to go,” Marion insisted. “It’s absolutely unacceptable for us as residents.”
With safety concerns mounting and resident frustration growing, the situation highlights ongoing challenges in integrating micromobility solutions into densely populated urban areas—especially when implementation overlooks the everyday realities of those living nearby.
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