Fatal bicycle accident in Renchen: 66-year-old dies after collision

Fatal bicycle accident in Renchen: 66-year-old dies after collision

On Monday afternoon, June 10, 2025, there was a tragic accident between two cyclists in Renchen. According to a report by Swabian Post, the incident occurred around 4:40 p.m. when a 66-year-old pedelec driver came to the right from the bike path for unexplained reasons. He was in parallel to the K5305 when his attempt to get left back to the bike path failed. The man slipped and collided with an oncoming 72-year-old cyclist. Both men fell and suffered serious injuries. The 66-year-old received resuscitation at the scene of the accident and was transported to a clinic in a life-threatening state where he later succumbed to his injuries.

After the accident had happened, the Offenburg transport service took over the investigation into the course of the accident. Such tragic incidents are not isolated, as current statistics about accidents in bicycle traffic show. In 2023, according to Destatis a total of 23,658 Pedelec-users, which are almost eleven as in 2014, as just 2.223 Pedelec denied. The number of people killed in pedelec accidents experienced an alarming increase from 39 to 188 people during the same period.

age and accident risk

The increase in pedelec accidents also has to do with demographic development. In 2023, the average age of the Pedelec denounced was 53 years. Many of the accidents concern seniors who are increasingly active in road traffic. On the other hand, the statistics of Destatis that 54.8 % of the accidents were caused by non -motorized bicycles under 45, while only a small proportion was caused by Was 65 years old. This displacement shows that the risk of older people, to be seriously injured or killed in a wheel accident, continues to require a lot of attention.

In addition, the risk of serious injuries to older cyclists is significantly increased. The likelihood of suffering serious or fatal injuries in the fall is particularly pronounced. Accident research of the insurers (UDV) has also found that the incoming cyclists have increased over 66 years in recent years. In 2024, almost 27,400 bike accidents were registered without other participants, in which 147 people died. This shows that incorrect cyclists alone pose a great security risk because they are responsible for 33 % of the cyclists killed.

causes and transport infrastructure

The causes of the accidents are complex. According to the results of accident research, both infrastructure problems and human misconduct are crucial. Poor paths, bad weather conditions and lack of attention from cyclists are among the most common causes of accidents. Every third time accidents indicate a bad street scene as the main cause. Many cyclists report uncertain conditions such as curbs or moisture that can influence driving behavior.

Personal factors are also decisive for the increase in the sole accidents. Almost two thirds of the cyclists state that their own driving style contributed to the accidents, be it excessive speed, carelessness or too strong brakes. In order to minimize the risk of accidents, it is essential to improve the infrastructure and to do educational work among the cyclists.

The tragic events in Renchen are an urgent appeal for more security in cycling and a comprehensive examination of the causes of bike accidents, especially for older generations that are increasingly integrated into road traffic.