71-year-old Pedelec driver seriously injured in an accident in Witten!

71-year-old Pedelec driver seriously injured in an accident in Witten!

On Friday, June 20, 2025, a serious accident occurred on the Ruhrtal cycle path in Witten-Bommern, in which a 71-year-old Pedelec driver from Cologne was seriously injured. The incident happened around 1:45 p.m., but the exact circumstances of the accident are still unclear. An ambulance crew immediately transported the injured man to a nearby hospital for inpatient treatment. The investigation was started by the responsible traffic commissioner. Radio Ennepe Ruhr

Such incidents shed light on the growing dangers for Pedelec users in Germany. Reporters have published official statistics showing that the number of Pedelec accidents resulting in personal injury rose from 2,200 in 2014 to a dramatic 23,900 in 2023. This corresponds to a tenfold increase within a decade. Among those injured, it is striking that the proportion of those under 45 years of age has increased from 10.7% to 31.2%. Pedelec riders are no longer just older people, but more and more younger generations are affected. Federal Statistical Office

Danger from Pedelecs

“Old iron or new joy?” one might ask, considering that 15.5% of German households already owned a Pedelec in 2022, compared to just 3.4% in 2014. For many, it is now a popular way of getting around. But the risk also increases. While the number of fatal Pedelec accidents rose from 39 (2014) to 188 (2023), non-motorized bicycles have experienced exactly the opposite: the number of fatalities fell from 357 to 256 in the same period. For every 1,000 Pedelec accidents resulting in personal injury, there were an average of 7.9 deaths in 2023 - compared to 3.6 for non-motorized bicycles. Federal Statistical Office

Statistics published on July 5, 2024 reveal that the average age of injured Pedelec riders is 53 years, while the figure for non-motorized bicycles is 42 years. This not only shows the demographic development in bicycle traffic, but also that older road users in particular are at greater risk on Pedelecs. Statista

A call for caution

The incident in Witten should make us all think. Especially in the summer months, when many people switch to their Pedelec, increased caution is required. The Bochum police would like to urge the public to stay safe on the roads. If you have any information about the accident, you can contact the Bochum police on 0234 909-3099 or the email address leitstelle.bochum@polizei.nrw.de. Radio Ennepe Ruhr