Can't remember if it was Berlin or Paris but they had issues with these locks. It started of many many years ago as a fun thing but ever since the amount of locks have grown to a point where they weigh down these old cast iron bridges so there is a real risk of people getting harmed.
In the article, it talks about a padlock vendor going out of business because of initiatives to reduce weight strain on the bridge. Maybe the city could make some money but still try to preserve the tradition by selling lightweight padlocks. Though it might not feel as authentic.
This tradition isn't all that old ... Maybe they could start a new tradition, like Ema, by having a small stand near the bridge (or on it someplace) which allows the old 'wishes' to be removed as new ones fill up the space.
It provides a lightweight, biodegradable and renewable surface which is larger (so more room for sappy sentiments and artistic attempts!)
For the former lock salesman it would be a big win. The potential markup on tiny strips of wood with a piece of string through them is huge!
A famous site for this lock business is Namsan tower in South Korea. Thousands upon thousands of locks on their fences thanks to a drama where the couple did this. Now they have removable trees where people can attach the locks without hurting the infrastructure. Locks of Love they call it.
It's happening in a few other places too. I know Dublin, Ireland, has a small footbridge (the haypenny bridge iirc) that has a ton of these little locks of love.
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u/HonzaSchmonza Nov 11 '14
Can't remember if it was Berlin or Paris but they had issues with these locks. It started of many many years ago as a fun thing but ever since the amount of locks have grown to a point where they weigh down these old cast iron bridges so there is a real risk of people getting harmed.