71-year-old pedelec driver seriously injured in the event of an accident in Witten!

71-year-old pedelec driver seriously injured in the event of an accident in Witten!

On Friday, June 20, 2025, a serious accident occurred on the Ruhrtal cycle path in Witten-Bommer, 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 have so far been unclear. An ambulance crew immediately transported the injured to a nearby hospital for inpatient treatment. The investigation was started by the responsible traffic commissioner. Such incidents throw a light on the growing dangers for pedelec users in Germany. Reporters have published official statistics that show that the number of pedelec accidents with personal injury from 2,200 in 2014 rose to dramatic 23,900 in 2023. This corresponds to an annoyance within a decade. Among the victims are striking that the proportion of those under 45 has increased from 10.7 % to 31.2 %. The pedelec drivers are therefore no longer just older people, but more and more younger generations are affected. Statistical Federal Office

danger from pedelecs

"Old iron or new joy?" Could you ask if you consider that in 2022 15.5 % of German households already had a pedelec compared to only 3.4 % in 2014. For many, it is now a popular way of moving up. But the risk also increases. While the number of pedelec accidents with a fatal outcome from 39 (2014) rose to 188 (2023), non-motorized bicycles have experienced the opposite: here the number of killed sank from 357 to 256 in the same period. On 1,000 pedelec accidents with personal damage, an average of 7.9 deaths came-compared to 3.6 for non-motorized bicycles. Statistical Federal Office

statistics published on July 5, 2024 provide information that the average age of the injured pedelec drivers is 53 years, while the value for non-motorized bicycles is 42 years. This shows not only the demographic development in bicycle traffic, but also that older road users in particular are more at risk on pedelecs. Statista

a call for caution

The incident in Witten should alle people to think. Especially in the summer months, when many people switch to their pedelec, increased caution is advised. The Bochum police would like to call the public to move safely in road traffic. If you have information about the accident, the Bochum police can be contacted on 0234 909-3099 or the e-mail address Weittelle.bochum@polizei.nrw.de. Radio Ennepe Ruhr