Leaf chaos on Wittstock's cycle paths: Danger for cyclists in autumn!

Leaf chaos on Wittstock's cycle paths: Danger for cyclists in autumn!

In Wittstock, the autumn leaves are currently making life difficult for cyclists. The cycle path from Wittstock to Alt Daber is completely covered with leaves, which can pose a real risk of slipping, especially in frost. Günter Lutz, the city's bicycle commissioner, warns urgently that the slippery surface significantly increases the risk of falls. With around 60 kilometers of cycle paths that make up the network in Wittstock and the surrounding areas, commuters and day-trippers should be particularly careful.

The city's building depot has already started the clearing work. Benjamin Deutschmann, the head of the construction yard, explained that six employees and around ten 1.50 euro jobbers are working to clear the leaves. But that takes time - new leaf fall doesn't make clearing any easier. Two sweepers are currently being used, and the cleared leaves ultimately end up in the landfill near Scharfenberg. The problem: The priority continues to be on main roads, which often means that cycle paths are pushed into the background.

Accidents on country roads in focus

A current study by insurers' accident research (UDV) shows that safety on German country roads continues to be a major problem for cyclists. On average, four cyclists die and 58 suffer serious injuries every week. An increase of almost 30 percent compared to ten years ago is alarming. In many cases, cycle paths on country roads are not adequately secured, which can lead to dangerous situations.

Collisions with cars in particular are one of the most common causes of accidents, and it is often the driver who causes the accident. Intersections are particularly risky, where almost 68 percent of serious accidents occur. The UDV therefore calls for the creation of safe crossings and speed limits in places that are difficult to see in order to increase the safety of cyclists.

The right environment for bike trips

But not only when it comes to safety on cycle paths, some people ask themselves how they can make cycling in nature safe and enjoyable. Outdoor activities are not only a great family experience, but also an opportunity not to lose sight of safety. Selecting appropriate goals and considering the different activities are crucial. When planning, you should also pay attention to sanitary facilities and first aid structures.

Hikes, outdoor games or even bird watching - all promote family dynamics and create lasting memories. You can use simple suggestions to ensure activity and safety in order to avoid accidents. Ultimately, it is important that parents provide supervision and set meetings at clearly defined locations to strengthen the group feeling.

Overall, it can be said that although the risk of accidents and inconveniences such as leaves is present in Wittstock, for example, with the right planning and attention you can also create great experiences outdoors. This applies to both everyday cycling trips and exciting family trips.

For detailed information on safety aspects in road traffic and the situation of cyclists in Germany, please take a look at the pages of MAZ and [UDV]. And for tips on organizing outdoor activities for the whole family, visit the Aventura Ecia page.