Schwerin: Traffic accidents pose a massive threat to cyclists and pedestrians!

Schwerin: Traffic accidents pose a massive threat to cyclists and pedestrians!

A lot is happening in the world of transport - and not always for the best. The traffic situation in cities like Schwerin in particular does not shine in a positive light, and cyclists are the most vulnerable road users. The latest accident statistics for 2024 have been presented, and the numbers speak for themselves. Last year, 180 cyclists were injured, which corresponds to an average of one injured person every two days. Overall, the number of injured people rose from 324 to 348 – an increase of 7.4%. The statistics show that the traffic situation for cyclists is becoming increasingly dire, as they represent a worrying majority with 40% of those injured, although they are only involved in 3% of all registered accidents. A very clear wake-up call, something urgently needs to be done!

What does it come down to? The total number of traffic accidents remained almost constant at 3,057, which represents a slight increase of 0.4% compared to the previous year. But what many people don't know is that over 50% of all of these accidents occurred in connection with parking spaces. Tragically, this issue merges with recurring reports of hit-and-runs - a problem that is known to be on the rise. In 2024, 956 registered cases were recorded. Any support for the police is more than necessary here, because safety on the roads should be the top priority, especially for vulnerable road users such as cyclists and pedestrians.

Recognize special dangers

“Road safety is a major concern for us,” emphasized Interior Minister Christian Pegel (SPD) and emphasized the importance of traffic education. A total of 183 events were held in 2024, reaching around 4,000 children and young people. At a time when more and more people are switching to bicycles or e-scooters, traffic education is essential. It's not just the number of accidents that is worrying, but also the fact that 63.5% of cyclists killed in 2024 were over 65 years old. If you think about the future, especially the booming use of Pedelecs, it becomes clear how important it is to use a bike healthily.

A look beyond the city limits shows that there is also a sense of alarm nationwide. According to the Federal Statistical Office, a total of 441 cyclists died in accidents in 2024. That's 33 fewer than in 2023, but an increase compared to ten years ago. One in six traffic fatalities in Germany was a cyclist. In addition, 43.5% of cyclists who were fatally injured were on an e-bike - a main reason why this group of danger is particularly in focus. So where are we today? A better understanding of this medium and its users is urgently needed.

Causes and solutions

The next step is to keep a critical eye on the main causes of accidents: disregarding the right of way, excessive speed and too close a distance are the most common causes of personal injury. Drivers were primarily to blame in 75.3% of the cases in which an accident involving cyclists occurred. This once again underlines the need to improve interaction in traffic and break dangerous behavior patterns. Ultimately, the challenge is to promote harmonious coexistence on the roads that does not come at the expense of safety.

The situation is serious, but there is hope. Increasing traffic education initiatives and raising awareness among all road users are the key to a better future. “It is up to all of us to work together to ensure road safety,” said Pegel. And that's more than just an empty phrase: let's take a step in the right direction together.

We don't just have to rely on statistics, but rather actively work to improve the traffic situation for cyclists and pedestrians. Every single person and every step in the right direction counts. The numbers from Schwerin are an impressive example of how important it is to be taken seriously. If you look closely at the statistics, it becomes clear: there is a great need for action!