Where Do You Want to Go – and How Will You Get There? A Mobility Study on the Film A HUMAN RIDE
Disclaimer: This report was written by Marc Herold, House of Logistics and Mobility - HOLM. For the original article in German, please visit the link: https://lnkd.in/e8uQimi7
On November 19, 2024, the Young Mobility Network, in collaboration with Women in Mobility, Women in Cycling, Integriertes Verkehrs- und Mobilitätsmanagement Region Frankfurt RheinMain (ivm), and House of Logistics and Mobility (HOLM) GmbH, hosted a film screening and panel discussion at the Frankfurt Kulturhaus on Ostendstraße. The event aimed to make everyday mobility more accessible and relatable to a broader audience. Ahead of the screening, we had the opportunity to speak with director Kristian Gründling about his latest documentary, A HUMAN RIDE.
How Did the Audience Travel to the Event?
Before the screening, event organizers Anna Filby and Max Beitler (both from the Young Mobility Network) conducted a live survey, asking attendees about their mode of transportation to the venue. The results revealed:
🚋 71% arrived via public transport
🚶♂️🚲🚗 29% used a mix of walking, cycling, cars, Park & Ride, and Bike & Ride
🚀 26% engaged in active mobility (walking, scooters, cycling)
🚌 74% relied on public transport
Survey results on audience transportation choices. Image: ivm GmbH
A HUMAN RIDE – A Documentary About Mobility and Justice
The evening began with the screening of A HUMAN RIDE (Germany, 2024), the latest documentary by award-winning director Kristian Gründling. The film explores the tension between individual mobility preferences and the need for sustainable transport solutions. Gründling and his team traveled across Germany to uncover the fundamental human need for mobility, featuring voices from mobility experts, researchers, and everyday citizens.
Beyond technical details or urban planning debates, the film highlights questions of justice, sustainability, and transformation in mobility.
🎥 Film Info
🎬 Title: A HUMAN RIDE
🎞 Director: Kristian Gründling
📅 Release Year: 2024
🌍 Country: Germany
⏳ Runtime: 64 minutes
▶️ Watch the Trailer: www.a-human-ride.de
A Shift in Perspective: How People Experience Mobility
At the heart of A HUMAN RIDE is the collision of diverse perspectives on mobility. Through interviews and immersive storytelling, the film introduces:
🚗 A nurse in rural Germany who relies on her car despite sustainability concerns
🚲 A father transporting his children by cargo bike
🎤 A rapper who sees his car as a status symbol
♿ A wheelchair user in Berlin struggling with accessibility in public transport
🚆 A commuter from Vienna who transitioned from car to train
By constantly shifting viewpoints, the film challenges audiences to rethink their own mobility choices.
In an interview, director Kristian Gründling shared how a personal experience shaped his interest in mobility:
“After a sports injury, I suddenly had to use crutches. I realised how difficult it was to navigate everyday spaces. Suddenly, I saw stairs, sidewalks, and broken elevators in a whole new light.”
Through these perspectives, A HUMAN RIDE highlights unequal access to mobility and calls for more inclusive transport solutions.
A Call for Dialogue and Understanding
More than just raising awareness, the film aims to foster empathy and understanding. Gründling emphasizes:
“I wanted to appeal to reason and ask: How do we engage with others when it comes to mobility? We need to recognize that different perspectives deserve to be heard.”
Director Kristian Gründling in conversation with the audience before the film screening in the foyer of the Frankfurt Kulturhaus.
Mobility as a Transformational Experience
Gründling’s goal is to spark reflection rather than provide easy answers. He describes this as “resonance” – creating a subtle shift in awareness that encourages deeper thinking.
“Sustainable mobility isn’t about sacrifice – it’s about enhancing our quality of life. Cycling, e-scooters, and public transport can be fun and convenient. We just need the courage to embrace them.”
Gründling himself has switched from a car to an e-scooter in Munich, enjoying the time savings, comfort, and sustainability benefits.
A HUMAN RIDE: A Message of Hope and Progress
The film challenges fear-based narratives about mobility changes, showing real-life solutions that already exist. Instead of focusing on what we must give up, it highlights what we gain through sustainable transport options.
The panel discussion, moderated by Max Beitler (Young Mobility Network), reinforced these themes. Panelists included:
🚄 Ilma Bojadzic (Co-Founder encore, Deutsche Bahn)
🌍 Heike Mühlhans (Managing Director, ivm GmbH)
🎬 Kristian Gründling (Director, A HUMAN RIDE)
🚲 Martina Rumschick (Head of Brand & Content, Eurobike)
🎭 Jackie Contreras (Moviestar & Film Cast Member)
They emphasized that mobility justice must account for individual needs, whether in rural areas, accessibility in public transport, or affordability.
The audience and panelists engaging in discussion after the film screening.
A New Audience, the Same Questions
Where is mobility headed? The film leaves audiences with one clear answer: towards people.
🚦 Do we need more highways and airport runways, or should we rethink mobility to better serve human needs?
🚀 How can we make mobility more sustainable without compromising quality of life?
🤝 How can we design a mobility system that works for everyone?
Gründling’s film argues that mobility should adapt to people’s needs – not the other way around.
The audience in the fully packed Kulturhaus in Frankfurt.
A Collective Effort for a Better Future
At the end of the evening, one insight was clear: mobility is a shared responsibility.
👥 The full house at Frankfurt’s Kulturhaus proved that diverse voices can come together to discuss, challenge, and co-create the future of mobility.
💬 Anna Filby, Founder of the Young Mobility Network, reflected:
“This film reminded me why I work in mobility – for the people. Hosting our first cinema event was deeply moving and inspiring. Huge thanks to our panelists for their insights and to the incredible audience for engaging in critical, lively discussions. Only through diversity and collaboration can we shape the future. Mobility is a Human Ride!”
Anna Filby from the Young Mobility Network.