Cyclists in Braunschweig: Danger on dilapidated roads increases dramatically!

Cyclists in Braunschweig: Danger on dilapidated roads increases dramatically!

Things are quiet in downtown Braunschweig at the moment, but the situation on the narrow one-way street “Marstall” is quite problematic for bus drivers. Numerous buses use the streets every day, while cyclists often ignore the ban on riding in one-way streets. These disregards often lead to dangerous situations, which the Braunschweig Police Department has already accurately classified as worrying. Bus drivers often have to brake abruptly, which significantly increases the risk of accidents. The “Marstall” area is therefore considered particularly dangerous, especially for oncoming cyclists. The city is therefore planning to put up two additional signs to highlight the cyclist ban and draw attention to this problem. However, whether this measure can completely solve the problem remains unclear. Police will be carrying out additional checks in the near future and ghost cyclists caught riding in the wrong direction will face penalties.

But it's not just the current challenges in road safety that are making headlines. Last Wednesday the first “Ride of Silence” took place in Braunschweig, a memorial event for cyclists who were killed or injured on public roads. The “Bicycle City of Braunschweig” initiative has already set up two ghost bikes in the city, in a total of three places they are reminiscent of the tragic accident sites. This campaign is part of a worldwide memorial trip that was carried out at the accident sites with police accompaniment. A minute's silence was held on site. Matthias Leitzke, the initiator, emphasized the alarming number of three deaths in Braunschweig since autumn 2018 and called for a rethink in transport planning.

Cycling in Braunschweig – a risky undertaking

The “Bicycle City of Braunschweig” initiative has clear goals: Volker Schmidt calls on the initiative to make cycling in the city safer. Better traffic space design is absolutely necessary. In order to achieve this, the initiative is planning a referendum. 12,000 signatures are to be collected in order to create the legal requirements for this. The initiative hopes to attract broad public support, including the voices of those interested in climate protection. Ultimately, Braunschweig should not only become a better place for cycling, but also contribute to reducing oil consumption.

Statistical background and the challenges for cyclists

The problem of road safety is supported by current statistics. Cyclists are becoming more and more likely to have accidents without external influence, as a study by insurers' accident research (UDV) shows. In 2023, there were around 27,400 cycling accidents without anyone else involved, in which around 6,400 people were seriously injured and 147 died. What is particularly noteworthy is that every third fatal bicycle accident now involves no other road users. The reasons for these alarming figures can be found both in the increasing popularity of cycling and in inadequate infrastructure. The dangers caused by weather, wetness and slippery conditions are particularly noticeable in the winter months. It becomes clear here that not only the cyclists themselves, but also the traffic infrastructure and weather conditions are responsible for the high number of accidents.

Overall, it is clear that Braunschweig is facing challenges that equally affect the city administration, the police and the “Bicycle City of Braunschweig” initiative. It remains to be hoped that with the planned measures and better coexistence on the road, safety for cyclists can be increased in the future.