The police officers in the Höxter district experience this time and time again: if a cyclist is involved in an accident or falls over without being involved, the consequences are less serious for riders wearing helmets than for those who are not.
From a statistical point of view, the number of cyclists involved in accidents is currently consistently high. While there were 45 accidents with injuries in the Höxter district in the same period (1st half of 2020), there were 44 in the first half of 2021. Fortunately, no cyclist lost their life.
The proportion of pedelec riders among those injured is actually falling. While there were 18 pedelec riders injured in accidents last year, there were only ten by the end of June 2021 - although the proportion of pedelecs in road traffic has certainly increased in the meantime.
"It is very pleasing that so far there have been no more injured pedelec riders in the over 65 age group," says Uwe Bartolles. Last year, there were still ten accidents. "Perhaps the pedelec training courses for senior citizens offered by the Höxter district police authority have already had some effect here."
Nevertheless, the police receive reports of cyclists involved in accidents practically every week. Most recently, on Wednesday, July 14, a 66-year-old man fell off his bike in Höxter when he tried to ride onto a kerb in the street "Im Flor" and slipped off. On the same day, a 52-year-old woman suffered a similar accident when she fell on her electric bike in the Steinheim-Eichholz area.
The traffic experts at Höxter police therefore continue to advise:
- Protect your head with a helmet.
- Familiarize yourself with the bike you are using, especially if you are buying a new bike or have not ridden one for a while.
- Ideally, wear protective goggles or sunglasses to avoid eye injuries and unwanted distractions from insects.
- If possible, use a cycle path.
- Always ride considerately, especially on shared cycle paths and footpaths.
"Cycling is becoming more and more important, also in terms of the traffic turnaround as part of climate protection," says Chief Superintendent Uwe Bartolles. "We want you to reach your destination safely with this wonderful way of getting around."