Safe off-road: e-bike training in Nördlingen and Donauwörth!

Safe off-road: e-bike training in Nördlingen and Donauwörth!

Nördlingen, Deutschland - e-bikes are the hit, that's undisputed. But how safe is driving with these modern companions? E-bike driving safety training recently took place in Nördlingen and Donauwörth, organized by the Donauwörther Zeitung and the Rieser Nachrichten. Under the guidance of four certified coaches of the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) Donau-Ries, 20 participants were able to improve their driving technique and gain valuable knowledge of the special properties of e-bikes. Because one thing is clear: E-bikes not only bring joy, they are also a challenge for the travelers, especially in terms of weight and handling. An average e-bike weighs over 20 kg and therefore requires special attention when driving.

The training gave the participants essential tips on how important it is to switch back before an increase so as not to stop. In addition, the participants had to practice the correct braking behavior - just think of the most common mistakes made: too high speed or the exclusive benefit of the front brake. Driving on narrow strips and driving through curves were particularly part of the program. The declared goal was to improve both security and driving technology and thus encourage the travelers to move more safely in road traffic.

The sad numbers behind the fun

Despite such security measures, there are worrying statistics. According to the Federal Statistical Office, there were over 23,000 accidents with pedelecs in Germany in 2023, a massive increase compared to only around 2,000 accidents in 2014. This development shows that it not only affects older people, the number of victims under 45 also rose from 10.7 % in 2014 to over 30 % in 2023. In 2024, the number of fatal pedelec accidents rose to 192, a quintupling compared to 2014. This makes it clear that safety in road traffic, especially for pedelec users, urgently needs to be improved. Among the killed pedelec drivers were 68.8 % 65 years or older.

• 23,658 Pedelec users in 2023-almost eleven times as many as in 2014 (2,223 crashed).
• The number of the number killed in pedelec accidents rose from 39 (2014) to 188 (2023).
• The likelihood of serious or fatal injuries to falls is higher in older people.

e-bikes have gained great popularity in recent years. In 2022, 15.5 % of households in Germany already had at least one pedelec - an increase of only 3.4 % in 2014. This development is also evident in the number of accidents. While the number of accidents sank with non-motorized bicycles, the pedelec accidents are increasing steadily. A circumstance that grows with the responsible worries and underlines the need for targeted measures to improve traffic safety.

conclusion and future actions

Those responsible require more information and special training offers in order to better prepare older Pedelec users for traffic. With good training and the right know-how, the fun of driving on e-bikes could be significantly safer. E-bike driving safety training in Nördlingen and Donauwörth was a step in the right direction, and the participants obviously enjoyed their skills and being more secure. With joy in driving and increased awareness of our own skills, we can make the streets a little safer. Because even in the digital time the motto remains: Safety First!