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Cyclists stop train on Rügen – police initiate criminal proceedings!
Two cyclists asked a train driver for directions on the tracks between Sassnitz and Lietzow, which led to an emergency braking.
Cyclists stop train on Rügen – police initiate criminal proceedings!
An unusual incident recently occurred on the idyllic Baltic Sea island of Rügen, which not only brought cyclists into focus, but also called the police into action. On June 12, 2025, between the Sassnitz and Lietzow train stations, two cyclists were standing on the train tracks and were apparently looking for the right way. They had a parked e-bike in tow, which forced them to stop an approaching regional express Danger braking forced to prevent an accident.
The 62-year-old woman and the 58-year-old man from Lower Saxony were visibly lost and asked the driver for the best route. This meant that the federal police had to be informed and the two uninvited guests were escorted out of the track area. Fortunately, no injuries or damage to property were reported, but the incident had a massive impact on rail traffic. A total of four trains were delayed by 53 minutes due to the dangerous intervention.
Intervention of the authorities
The Federal Police, responsible for border police protection and railway police duties in the region, took the incident seriously and initiated criminal proceedings. The dangerous interference with rail traffic is by no means a trivial offense in Germany: the penalties can range from fines to years in prison if the case is classified as particularly serious. The police also emphasized that the cyclists were not aware of the danger of their actions and that staying in the track area can be life-threatening as trains often approach silently and the suction effect can cause serious injuries.
"The use of official crossings is strongly recommended. The track area is taboo for unauthorized persons," emphasized an official from the Stralsund Federal Police Inspectorate. The inspection is responsible for safety at train stations and tracks and employs around 2,600 people who take care of a wide range of tasks in the area of traffic and environmental police.
A look at the legal aspects
From a legal perspective, the incident was not only viewed from the perspective of the police authorities. A previous case, which is related to Section 315 Paragraph 1 No. 2 StGB, shows what consequences a dangerous intervention in rail traffic can have. An example of this describes the need for a specific danger, which always occurs when the life or health of people is put in danger. The Higher Regional Court also made it clear that the visibility of the railway line plays a role in assessing negligence. It remains to be seen what far-reaching legal and legal consequences the cyclists from Lower Saxony will actually have to bear.
In this case, the incident not only caused trains to be delayed, but also shed light on the safety risks that can arise from carelessness and misunderstandings. While the cyclists probably just wanted to ask for directions, their actions made the dangers in the track area more than clear.