Helmet requirement for cyclists? Experts warn of a dramatic increase in accidents!

Helmet requirement for cyclists? Experts warn of a dramatic increase in accidents!

In Schleswig-Holstein, the issue of compulsory helmet use for cyclists is causing quite a stir. The tragic death of a cyclist in Kiel who was hit by a car in a turning accident has sparked new debates. Accident doctors are campaigning for a legal requirement to wear helmets in order to avoid serious head injuries in the future. According to a report by NDR Such a measure could make a crucial difference.

The situation at the Lindeneller intersection in Lübeck is particularly noteworthy, which is considered the most dangerous intersection in Germany for cyclists. Many of the cyclists affected are often without helmets. Currently only S-Pedelecs, i.e. e-bikes that reach a top speed of 45 km/h, are required to wear a helmet. Dr. Harald Kenzlin states in his statement that helmets can reduce traumatic brain injuries by up to 60 percent. This is an alarming situation at the neurosurgery department at UKSH Lübeck, where three to four cyclists are admitted every week with serious head injuries who were not wearing helmets.

Increasing accident numbers

The accident statistics speak for themselves: Last year there were 15 deaths and 635 serious injuries in bicycle accidents in Schleswig-Holstein. This corresponds to an increase of 11 percent in the number of seriously injured people compared to the previous year. E-bikes also contribute to this development, although it remains unclear whether the users involved in the accident were wearing a helmet or not.

While the number of cycling accidents is increasing, there are different opinions within the cycling community about the requirement to wear a helmet. The General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) rejects legal regulations and relies on voluntary helmet use. The chairman of the ADFC Schleswig-Holstein, Jan Voß, advocates structural improvements to the traffic structure instead of compulsory helmet use. The ADFC advocates structurally separated cycle paths and an inner-city speed limit of 30 km/h for drivers. The Ministry of Transport also recommends that cyclists strongly consider wearing helmets, but a legal requirement to wear helmets is not on the agenda.

Personal safety and prevention

A look across the border to Austria shows that helmet wearing rates on e-bikes reach around 62 percent, while on classic bikes only 40 percent of riders wear a helmet. The majority of e-bike riders are in favor of a general helmet requirement, although there is also resistance there. Apart from that, an introduction of compulsory helmet use for children up to 12 years of age in 2011 led to a decrease in head injuries in this age group from 23 percent to 10 percent.

According to an estimate by the Austrian Road Safety Board (KFV), compulsory helmet use could prevent up to 300 traumatic brain injuries every year. Given that e-bikes pose a greater risk to adults due to their higher speed, the discussion about a possible helmet requirement for e-bikes and e-scooters is more intense than ever. In 2023, around 11,100 people in Austria suffered serious injuries from e-bike accidents, including 19 deaths in road traffic.

In summary, the issue of compulsory helmet use for cyclists continues to be controversial. While accidents and injuries are increasing and the need for preventative measures is becoming increasingly clear, it remains to be seen whether and when a legal regulation will be introduced in Schleswig-Holstein or beyond the borders.