Spectrum: The accident figures currently published by the Federal Statistical Office are more than worrying for us cyclists. The analysis of road accidents in 2018 shows a significant increase in road fatalities. In direct comparison to the previous year, the number has increased by 16,8%. Not only the ADFC rightly calls for an improvement in road safety for cyclists.
The cyclists come off particularly badly in the accident figures for 2018 published by the Federal Statistical Office. While fewer people died in traffic, the number of cyclists killed increased. According to the ADFC, 88.850 cyclists had an accident on German roads last year, a sad increase of 11% compared to 2017. A look at the number of fatalities is even more dramatic: 445 cyclists died in 2018 alone, almost 17 percent more than in the previous year. Among those killed were 21 children, six of whom were killed by trucks turning right. The car is the main cause of accidents, with the driver bearing 75% of the blame.
ADFC calls for a nationwide investment program
Not only has the number of cyclists involved in an accident increased, but also the sales figures for bicycles and e-bikes. According to the Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV), sales in 2018 were 4,18 million units, which is an increase of 8,6% compared to 2017. The bicycle still accounts for three quarters of all sales, but the e-bike records a percentage with 36% the higher increase. Politicians are therefore required to take the increased proportion of cyclists and e-bikers into account with appropriate programs and legislative amendments. In this regard, the ADFC calls for a nationwide investment program for protected cycle paths and crossings.
Massive expansion of public transport and obligation for a turning assistance system in trucks
A massive expansion of public transport could also help to solve the problem. But not only in conurbations does local public transport have to become more attractive. In rural areas, bus and train connections are not (or no longer) available in many places. A clear rethinking must take place here. Trucks turning right are still a big problem. Unfortunately, the life-saving turning assistance systems will not become mandatory until 2022 at the earliest. Until then, a voluntary retrofit will apply, which will be supported in 2019 as part of a funding program with 5 million euros. The fact is: The obligation to use a turning assistance system in trucks must come, and better today than tomorrow.