Road deaths in Germany increased in 2018 after two years of decline. The largest increase was among cyclists, and with the introduction of e-scooters, advocacy groups are calling for change.
A total of 3,275 people died in road accidents in Germany in 2018, 95 more than the previous year, according to Germany's Federal Statistics Office.
This 3% annual rise in road fatalities is the first increase after two years of decline. A further 396,000 people were injured in traffic accidents in 2018, an increase of 5,706 cases.
Overall, the number of road deaths fell by 10.2% between 2010 and 2018. Road deaths reached a 60-year low in 2017.
Passenger car occupants accounted for 43.5% of all road deaths in Germany last year, with 1,424 people killed in cars in 2018. A further 697 deaths were people on motorcycles, and there were 174 fatalities of occupants of goods road transport vehicles.
A total of 458 pedestrians died in road accidents in 2018, while another 77 people died in other accidents, such as bus passengers (9) and people using agricultural tractors (20).
Rural roads accounted for 24.3% of all accidents, but these accounted for 57% of all fatal accidents. Meanwhile, 6.7% of all accidents and 12.9% of all fatal accidents occurred on motorways.
The German Cyclist Association (ADFC) said on Tuesday that accidents involving two-wheeled traffic could continue to increase in 2019, citing increasing congestion on cycling paths and recently approved e-scooters.
"It is irresponsible to have more and more vehicles on miserable cycling lanes without adapting the infrastructure to increasing demand," ADFC head Burkhard Stork said in a statement from the association.
The German Road Safety Council (DVR) has called on local authorities to invest more in road safety. DVR president Walter Eichendorf said that authorities have to think of weaker road users when planning new roads.
Cities where cycling is a joy
This year's Tour de France kicks off in Copenhagen on July 1st. The Danish capital is famous for its fantastic cycling infrastructure. Here are a few more bike-friendly cities in Europe.
Image: CC/Negu
Copenhagen
Denmark's capital boasts a 350-kilometer (217-mile) cycle path network, traffic lights that prioritize cyclists, and footrests on the roadside when you have to wait for a green light. No wonder, then, that 63 percent of the population cycle to work. The word "copenhagenize" has already become established in English to describe making cities more bicycle-friendly.
Amsterdam in the Netherlands is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in Europe. Cyclists in Amsterdam cover some 2 million kilometers (approx. 1.24 million miles) a day. The country is popular with cyclists because it's very flat. Utrecht, for example, is home to the largest bicycle parking garage with 33,000 parking spaces.
Image: picture-alliance/NurPhoto/N. Economou
Paris
In Paris, the city authorities have been systematically expanding the cycle network for years. On Sundays, entire streets are even closed to traffic. As a tourist, one can also easily mingle with the cyclists, as there are bicycle rental stations everywhere. This is also the case in Strasbourg. The two cities count as the most bicycle-friendly in France.
Image: picture-alliance/robertharding/S. Dee
Malmo
Malmo in Sweden has invested a lot of money in improving its bicycle infrastructure. There are almost 500 kilometers (311 miles) of cycle paths with (tire) pumping stations and right-of-way systems. Probably the most creative idea is a bicycle hotel with its own workshop, rental bikes — and bike parking directly in front of the rooms.
Image: Ohboy
Trondheim
Trondheim in Norway is a hilly city. The "Trampe", the world's first bicycle lift, provides a solution. The 130-meter-long (426 ft) lift takes up to 300 cyclists per hour up the mountain to the Kristiansten Fortress. A plate, on which you can stand with your right foot, is pulled along a rail. This plate then pushes the cyclist together with the bike up the hill.
Image: public domain
Münster
In Münster in Westphalia, there are more bicycles than residents. It is therefore not surprising that Münster is the city, after Leipzig, with the highest bicycle theft rate in Germany. But that doesn't stop people from riding their bikes — after all, Münster offers wide cycle paths, plenty of parking spaces and no hills.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/B. Thissen
Barcelona
As early as 2002 you could ride a rental bike through Barcelona. 250 kilometers (98 miles) of cycle paths connect destinations in the Catalan capital. Zones limiting speeds to 30 kmph ensure more safety in city traffic. For tourists, the city offers various themed cycle paths through the city, to the beach or to the sights of architect Antoni Gaudi.
Image: picture-alliance/imageBROKER/G. Guarino
Basel
In Basel the land is flat and the distances short. The streets are particularly crowded during the slowUp. During this event, which takes place in summer in different cities in Switzerland, the organizers block off around 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) in beautiful surroundings for cyclists and provide them with a wide range of activities along the route. What could be more fun?
Image: picture-alliance/imageBROKER/M. Dr. Schulte-Kellinghaus
