Serious Pedelec accident: 69-year-old injured in Ausserlengenwang!

Serious Pedelec accident: 69-year-old injured in Ausserlengenwang!

A serious accident near Ausserlengenwang on Monday afternoon put a 69-year-old Pedelec rider in danger of losing his life. The cyclist in question slipped on a curve as he cycled over freshly washed-in Riesel. The accident occurred in a remote location and it remains unclear how long the man lay helpless on the ground before he was discovered by an alert postman, who immediately called emergency services. The 69-year-old suffered serious injuries when he fell and had to be taken to hospital in a rescue helicopter. Tragically, he was not wearing a bicycle helmet during this accident, which likely increased the severity of his injuries. The material damage to the Pedelec amounts to around 500 euros, as Merkur reports.

Pedelecs are becoming increasingly popular, but the numerous accidents highlight the dangers associated with cycling. In 2023, almost 23,658 Pedelec users had an accident in Germany, which is a worrying increase compared to just 2,223 accidents in 2014. This clearly shows that cycling and especially the use of Pedelecs is not without risks. What is particularly alarming is that the number of people killed in Pedelec accidents rose from 39 in 2014 to 188 in 2023, as Destatis notes.

An increase in accidents

Statistics also show that the proportion of Pedelec accident victims over the age of 65 fell from 54.5% in 2014 to 30.1% in 2023. In contrast, the proportion of younger Pedelec riders under the age of 45 increased from 11% to 30.1%. This development could indicate that Pedelecs are increasingly being used by younger riders who may feel safer or simply pay less attention to the dangers.

City traffic presents a variety of challenges, and in 2023, more than 27,400 cycling accidents occurred through no fault of others. These solo accidents, often caused by weather conditions and inadequate infrastructure, represent a serious problem. Experts report that the majority of these accidents are caused by deficiencies in cycle path design and external circumstances. In dangerous weather, as we often experience in winter, cyclists are particularly vulnerable to falls.

Higher risk of injury with Pedelecs

Pedelecs are heavier and reach higher speeds, which makes handling more difficult and increases the risk of injury in the event of a fall. Pedelec accidents resulted in an average of 7.9 fatalities per 1,000 personal injury accidents in 2023, compared to 3.6 for non-motorized bicycles. This highlights the particular danger that Pedelec users face, especially when you consider that many of the people affected are not sufficiently aware of the risks.

Current incidents and statistics call on all cyclists to ride responsibly on the road. Sometimes it's a small step, like wearing a helmet, that can make a big difference. Ultimately, it is important to all of us that cycling in our cities remains safe and can be fun for everyone.