Many cyclists see the ADAC as the scandalous lobby group for motorists and therefore as the natural enemy of all cyclists. But the fact that most of us are drivers ourselves and as such are also happy to be ADAC members is often ignored. There is something special about being on a bike tour in the Alps in the car and knowing that the ADAC will fly me home in an emergency or that the Yellow Angels will help me if my car breaks down.
After all the scandals of the recent past at the ADAC, it is probably part of the new charm offensive to take care of the cyclists on the road. In addition to the usual tests, such as those of bicycle helmets, the ADAC now also gives tips for safe cycling. The reason for this is the worrying increase in the number of cyclists involved in accidents by 37 percent over the last 35 years. The ADAC counted 71.000 seriously injured and killed cyclists in 2013 – compared to “only” 52.000 in 1979.
In 2013, 354 cyclists lost their lives on the roads. What is dramatic about this number is the fact that with a total of 3.339 deaths, cyclists make up 10,6 percent of the total number. Applied to the mileage, the ADAC calculates that cyclists are five times more likely to be killed in an accident than the occupants of a car.
Older cyclists in particular are particularly at risk. 56 percent of the casualties (197) are older than 65 years. This is of course due to the increased vulnerability in advanced age.
But the ADAC would not be representing the interests of motorists if they did not also point out with this message what cyclists are doing wrong on the road.
According to the ADAC, accidents happen most frequently in built-up areas at intersections. Although cyclists are often overlooked by turning drivers, collisions between two cyclists are not uncommon. Most of these accidents were caused by traffic on the left driving in violation of the rules.
"Mutual consideration is a very important prerequisite for improving road safety," says ADAC Vice President for Traffic Ulrich Klaus Becker. “This applies not only to the interaction between cyclists and drivers, but also to the cyclists themselves. I would wish that even more people would understand and use the bike as an alternative to the car. It is all the more important that everyone really does follow the rules and treat each other fairly and with understanding.”
However, we cannot refrain from pointing out that the very unfortunate selection of images for the background image of the graphic shows that they are obviously not really ready to be taken seriously as an advocacy group for cyclists: Alone the wobbly plastic bottle in the bottle holder and the A young lady's choice of shoes that is not optimal are two potential sources of danger.
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