91-year-old Pedelec driver falls – alarming accident statistics!

91-year-old Pedelec driver falls – alarming accident statistics!

A serious incident occurred on June 11, 2025 in Pfaffenhofen, when a 91-year-old Pedelec rider fell on a gravel path on the Ilm, parallel to Joseph-Fraunhofer-Straße, at around 12:15 p.m. According to information from Pfaffenhofen Today the senior tried to stop when the front wheel slipped while braking. The accident occurred without any third party involvement and the pensioner landed roughly on his right side, sustaining several injuries. Passers-by immediately provided first aid until emergency services arrived. The injured man was ultimately transported to the hospital for further treatment.

We can place this incident in the larger context of traffic accidents involving e-bikes, particularly among older riders. An investigation by Augsburger Allgemeine reports on the problematic situation that has emerged in recent years. E-bikes are an attractive mobility option for many seniors, but they also pose significant risks, especially for the older generation who often have difficulty dealing with the speed and weight of these bikes.

Accident statistics alarm

The accident numbers speak for themselves: in the first half of 2023, 29 cyclists, including six e-bike riders, lost their lives in road traffic. Siegfried Brockmann, head of the insurer's accident research, also warns of an increase in the number of injuries and deaths in this age group. The increase in accidents is particularly worrying: In Bavaria, the number of traffic accidents involving cyclists rose by 52.5% to 1,475 in 2018. Brockmann emphasizes that many older people are made mobile again by e-bikes, but this also leads to a high number of serious accidents.

E-bikes, often too heavy and fast for seniors, can lead to a loss of control. The German Traffic Watch and experts recommend linking the top speed of e-bikes to the pedaling power of the rider. This could reduce the risk of accidents, especially among older users, explains Brockmann. The discussion about compulsory helmet use is also gaining momentum, although e-bikes are legally considered bicycles in Germany, where only a recommendation to wear a helmet is made. According to studies, the use of helmets could reduce head injuries by 20% and particularly serious injuries by over 80% Focus Mobility highlights.

Prevention offers and safety training

In order to increase the safety of seniors in road traffic, politicians such as Bavaria's Interior Minister Joachim Herrmann are appealing to older people to take part in driving training courses run by the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC). The North Rhine-Westphalian Interior Minister Herbert Reul is also calling for such driving training in order to improve the accident record with e-bikes. Such measures could help raise awareness of the dangers of riding e-bikes and reduce the number of accidents.

The combination of an increase in e-bike users, particularly among the older population, and the associated risk of accidents makes it clear that there is a need for action here. Recent incidents and statistics highlight the need to take preventative measures and promote awareness of the risks of riding e-bikes.