E-scooters and cyclists collide: Braunschweig is looking for witnesses!

E-scooters and cyclists collide: Braunschweig is looking for witnesses!

An accident between an e-scooter and a cyclist caused a stir in Braunschweig yesterday. On Thursday, July 8, 2025, around 1:30 p.m., the incident occurred on the cycle path on Am Fallersleber Tore street in the direction of Humboldtstrasse, at the level of the Hiroshima bank. A 33-year-old cyclist was riding on the bike path when an e-scooter came towards him. The e-scooter driver suddenly turned left, which led to the collision. The cyclist lost his balance and fell, but only sustained minor injuries. He and the e-scooter driver did not exchange personal details and the police were not called to the incident. So far, the e-scooter driver remains unknown. The Braunschweig police are now looking for witnesses or information about the incident, which can be reported to the traffic accident service on 0531/ 476-3935, as regionalheute.de reports.

The incident joins the growing number of traffic accidents linked to e-scooters. The statistics speak for themselves: In 2023, the number of e-scooter accidents resulting in personal injury rose by 14.1 percent to a total of 9,425 accidents. This development is mainly due to the increasing number of users. In total, there were 22 deaths related to e-scooter accidents, doubling the number last year. An alarming statistic! destatis.de highlights that 41.6 percent of those involved in accidents are under 25 years old and only 3.4 percent of the drivers affected were 65 years old or older.

A look at the number of traffic accidents

Compared to e-scooter accidents, bicycle accidents are much more common. According to an analysis by emobility-insider.de, e-scooter accidents only accounted for around 0.6 percent of all traffic accidents in Lower Saxony in 2023, while bicycle accidents occurred ten times as frequently at around six percent. Nevertheless, the police remain particularly vigilant due to the increase in e-scooter users and the associated number of accidents.

A look at the causes shows that incorrect road use (19.4 percent) and the influence of alcohol (15.1 percent) are the most common reasons for e-scooter accidents. According to reports, e-scooters have been allowed to be used on cycle paths or roadways since June 15, 2019, while the use of sidewalks is prohibited. Drivers must be at least 14 years old and adhere to a 0.5 alcohol limit.

These developments raise questions about how safe e-scooters really are in urban traffic and show the need for stronger prevention measures. It remains to be seen whether electric scooter users will drive more carefully and responsibly. The focus is now on education and road safety for all road users - including cyclists and e-scooter drivers.