Dangerous cycle path to Wilflingen: falls and risks discovered!

Dangerous cycle path to Wilflingen: falls and risks discovered!

The cycle paths around Wilflingen are coming into focus after the new cycle path from Schörzingen was opened there. While this route promises some positive aspects, it also presents dangerous challenges. How the Black Forest messenger reported, the last 200 meters of the cycle path lead into a winding farm road, which represents a real challenge for many cyclists, especially without e-bikes.

The steep incline at the end of the path in particular causes difficulties not only for classic cyclists, but also for e-bikers. There is also a critical section where visibility of oncoming traffic is severely limited. There are repeated reports of falls and cyclists being forced to leave the cycle path in front of the parking lot and onto the busy county road.

Safety concerns and measures

Eugen Mager, a committed cyclist, expressed his disappointment with the planning of the cycle path. The Zollernalbkreis district office, which is responsible for the route, has recognized the concerns about the gradient and the risk of accidents, but emphasizes that the decision to route the route was based on topographical conditions and financial conditions. According to the office, a direct route along the district road would not have been financially viable. Nevertheless, the district office plans to introduce measures to improve safety, including warning signs and pictograms to better protect cyclists.

The Rottweil district is responsible for implementing these measures and is in close contact with the district office in order to promote safe cycle path development. The voice of the population is also sought in order to identify possible dangers at an early stage and react to them.

The dark side of infrastructure

The situation in Wilflingen is not an isolated case. A current study by insurers' accident research (UDV) shows alarming figures for serious cycling accidents. On average, four cyclists are fatally injured and 58 are seriously injured every week, particularly on rural roads. The increase in accidents by almost 30 percent compared to ten years ago is worrying and is often linked to a lack of infrastructure, as well the UDV determines.

The main cause of these serious cycling accidents is collisions with motor vehicles, with drivers considered to be the culprit in 59 percent of the cases. A worrying number that indicates that cyclists themselves are often injured in accidents without the involvement of others. Almost every third cycling accident occurs without anyone else involved, often due to falls, which are often due to inadequate infrastructure, as the UDV revealed through numerous investigations.

Conclusion: A call for mindfulness

In order to improve safety for cyclists in the long term, it is important that both cyclists and drivers show more consideration for each other. Special attention should be paid to cyclists when driving, while cyclists should avoid busy roads to minimize the risk of an accident. In addition, the UDV appeals to those responsible to create safe crossings and cycle paths off the road and to eliminate existing infrastructural dangers.

With a good knack for safe cycle paths, an important step in the right direction could be taken to promote the joy of cycling and minimize the dangerous risks.