Aggression on the cycle path: 77-year-old seriously injured in attack!

Aggression on the cycle path: 77-year-old seriously injured in attack!

On the evening of June 17, 2025, a serious incident occurred on a dirt road between Schaffhausen and Harburg in the Donau-Ries district that stirred emotions. A 77-year-old cyclist was attacked by a 53-year-old pedestrian. The man briefly held onto the cyclist as he drove past, which ultimately caused the cyclist to lose control of his electric bicycle (pedelec) and fall. The impact was so violent that the 77-year-old was briefly unconscious and had to be taken to a clinic with serious injuries. Luckily, a bicycle helmet saved him from even more serious head injuries. The 53-year-old pedestrian also fell and sustained minor injuries. The police have now launched an investigation against him for dangerous interference in traffic, bodily harm and damage to property. This tragic event raises questions about the dangers in road traffic and goes far beyond this individual case, as the reporting by Antenne ​​makes clear.

How safe is cycling in Germany?

In a current discussion about cycling safety, it becomes clear that cyclists are often perceived as secondary road users. In an extensive study, the Insurers' Accident Research (UDV) found that cyclists are often overlooked while driving, especially on country roads. Last week there were an average of four deaths and 58 seriously injured cyclists on these roads alone, an alarming increase of almost 30% since ten years ago. One in three serious cycling accidents occurs without any other involvement, often due to falls caused by poor infrastructure. According to UDV, 41% of accidents are car collisions, with drivers causing 59% of accidents - a clear responsibility that must be taken seriously. For the future, the UDV is calling for safe crossings for cyclists and the removal of visual obstructions at accident scenes. Cycle paths that better support traffic flow could significantly improve safety, as they show in their study.

Conflicts in road traffic

But it is not only when investigating the accidents that a conflict between cyclists and other road users emerges. A study by the taz sheds light on the problem that cyclists have internalized that they hardly ever ride on the road, which only makes the situation even more unsafe. In particular, painted cycle paths on sidewalks contribute to confusion and promote conflict between pedestrians and cyclists. The proposal to introduce license plates for bicycles is also viewed critically as it does not provide a real solution to the existing problems. In fact, this could further inflame the already divisive mood, as the general discussion shows. A solution could lie in creating safe cycle paths and better traffic management to avoid such conflicts.

The demands for more consideration and the urgency of action are clear. Road safety organizations and politicians are asked to launch targeted campaigns to raise awareness of cycling safety. Because it is obvious that respectful coexistence between all road users is urgently needed in order to prevent tragic incidents like the one in Harburg.