Cyclists stop train on Rügen: Danger in the track area!

Cyclists stop train on Rügen: Danger in the track area!

A remarkable incident occurred on June 13, 2025 on the railway line between Sassnitz and Lietzow in the Vorpommern-Rügen district. Two cyclists, a 62-year-old woman and a 58-year-old man, were on the tracks and stopped a regional train to ask the driver for the way. What apparently did not realize it was the danger of her behavior. The train had to initiate a danger braking to prevent worse things, and four trains suffered delays due to this incident. The federal police were alerted and initiated criminal proceedings for dangerous interference in rail traffic against cyclists, so that the situation was not without consequences.

The police officers raise the alarm and urge the risks that result from lingering in the track area. As reports [Bahnblogstelle.com] (https://bahnblogstelle.com/1485/BETEN-BEIT-ABUNGE-und-Bundenpolnen-warnen-vor-unfaellen-im-gleis area/), entering the track area is simply prohibited, but tragic accidents always happen. Often ignorance, recklessness or incorrect behavior are the main causes. A terrifying example is the latest accident of a 16-year-old in Teutschenthal, who ran along the tracks during music with headphones and was captured by a train.

Enlightenment and prevention

The federal police and the railway companies rely on clarification. They have been working intensively together since 2000 to increase security. Citizens are invited to report information on vandalism or unauthorized entering access to rail systems. The police also indicate this in view of the legal regulations: every stay in track areas is not allowed and can be punished as a dangerous intervention in rail traffic. This law provides for punishments that can range from fines to prison sentences of up to ten years.

The incident on Rügen clearly shows how important it is to take the dangers in the railway area seriously. It often happens out of carelessness that people get close to the tracks, which is also discussed in the recommendations of the DGUV. Inadequate labeling and the lack of protective strips can have fatal consequences. When working on the track, it must be ensured that all safety instructions are observed in order to avoid accidents.

Maybe now is the right time to think about how important it is to adhere to the rules and be particularly careful when you are traveling near tracks. In the end, security counts for everyone - this also applies to cyclists on Rügen, who can quickly get into a dangerous situation out of carelessness.