Apparition Pedalers: Clandestine Cyclists Dominant during Late-Night Cycle Path Hours
Taking to the Streets: A Growing Cyclist Problem in Bavaria
Springtime is here, and cyclists are out and about on Bavaria's streets and paths, but the joy of seeing more eco-friendly commuters isn't without its darker side. As the Bavarian police recently wrapped up their action month on cycling safety, one concerning trend emerged loud and clear - the rise of "ghost cyclists".
These phantom riders were spotted breaking the rules by cycling on the wrong side of the road over 650 times in Augsburg and around 4,900 times statewide. A glance at the police press review shows that cyclists are regularly involved in local accidents.
Take, for instance, the unfortunate incident that took place on Tuesday, June 10, in the Riedingerstraße. A collision occurred between two cyclists with the 41-year-old rider under the influence of drugs leading to the 60-year-old cyclist falling and getting slightly injured.
Similarly, there was a hit-and-run incident in the Bürgermeister-Ackermann-Straße, where a pedestrian was injured by an unknown cyclist who fled the scene. The police are investigating the case for leaving the scene of an accident and reckless bodily harm.
Indeed, such instances are not uncommon, especially during traffic controls where the police seize drugs, as was the case during Sunday, June 8, when a 33-year-old cyclist was stopped in Schäfflerbachstraße for riding without lights. The officers noticed drug-like behavior in the man and found drugs on him during subsequent police measures.
Consequently, in response to the increasing danger on Bavarian roads, the police took special precautions during the recent action month, detecting 12,999 offenses between Hof and Füssen. Out of these, 10,965 warnings were issued, with 1,597 cases leading to charges for severe offenses such as running red lights. The most striking statistic reveals 4,889 cases of cyclists behaving like "phantom cyclists", cycling against the direction of traffic or breaking rules on sidewalks.
Susanne Kruger, a police spokeswoman, reported that during the action week in the Swabia North area, there were around 1,300 cyclist controls. Shockingly, half of the violations were due to "phantom cyclists". In 75 cases, cyclists were reported for using their mobile phones while on the road, yet another dangerous practice.
not only cyclists but also 1,541 car and truck drivers were penalized during the action days, mainly for holding or parking on bike lanes. In 437 cases, charges were filed, including driving under the influence or bicycle theft.
Bavaria's Interior Minister, Joachim Herrmann, emphasizes the urgent need for mutual consideration in road traffic. Herrmann pledges to closely monitor cycling safety in the future and aims to reduce the high number of cycling accidents in the Free State, which has been steadily on the rise since 2009. Last year alone, 94 cyclists died, accounting for about one-fifth of all traffic fatalities in the region.
To improve cycling infrastructure in the long term, Minister Herrmann plans to collaborate with municipalities to create 1,500 kilometers of new bike lanes by 2030.
With the ongoing focus on cycling culture in Bavaria, it's clear that action needs to be taken to address the growing number of "phantom cyclists" on Bavarian roads, ensuring the safety of all road users.
The rise in "ghost cyclists," who disregard traffic rules and cause accidents, is a troubling trend in Bavaria's cycling culture. For instance, a collision between two cyclists in Riedingerstraße involved a rider under the influence of drugs, demonstrating the need for increased safety regulations on Bavarian roads.
The police action month on cycling safety highlighted the concerning number of instances where cyclists were found breaking rules, with over 4,800 cases of "phantom cyclists" reported statewide. These cases underscore the importance of addressing and addressing the increasing danger posed by these phantom riders on Bavarian roads.
