Cheap Sex for the Saddle Sore: Berlin Brothel Offers Cyclists' Discount
Image credit: Maison d'Envie
[CAUTION: Links may include explicit material]Brothel Offers Discount for Eco-Friendly TransportationWhen I wrote about Heidi Fleiss' eco-brothel for women, one commenter suggested it was just another example of the environmental movement being usurped to make a buck, although commenters were generally more charitable about Norwegian eco-porn. I am guessing the reaction will be similarly mixed to news that a Berlin brothel is offering discounts to anyone arriving by bike or public transportation. The Maison d'Envie brothel, situated on Berlin's Danziger Strasse, is offering patrons an Umweltrabatt ("eco-discount") if they can prove they arrived by bike or public transportation (perhaps a shower in a bottle might be useful here, although wash facilities are provided). According to Leo Hickman over at The Guardian, the owners claim the eco-discount is driving more customers to the brothel while reducing parking and congestion in the neighborhood:
"Any punter who arrives by bike – the puns readily spring to mind with this story – or who can prove they've travelled by public transport qualifies for the discount (they must present a valid ticket and a map of Berlin's public transport network upon arrival). The room hire for a 45-minute "session" is normally €70 (£60), but cyclists qualify for a €5 "eco" discount. Customers with, er, less time on their hands can opt for the 15-minute session which normally costs €30, but with that eco discount it drops down to €25.
Of course it goes without saying that the sex industry is a hugely contentious one with human rights abuses and exploitation being a major issue (not that this proves a lack of exploitation, but for what it's worth the Maison d'Envie claims to only employ Germans and/or EU citizens). Whether or not the answer is legalization and regulation (prostitution is legal in Germany), or stamping the trade out all together is obviously a matter for debate. But while people continue to pay for sex, then I guess the climate will be happier if they arrive by bike. Let's just hope they tell any loved ones where they are going.
For the rest of us with no interest in paying for sex, the Planet Green guide on How to Green Your Sex Life is a good place to start for some eco-thrills.
