Germany: 462 cyclists dead, half e-bikes

Wiesbaden – Cycling is booming in Germany – but the number of fatal accidents is increasing. 462 cyclists lost their lives in 2025 – an increase of 3.8 percent. Particularly alarming: almost every second person who died was on an e-bike. Overall, around one in six traffic fatalities was a cyclist.

The figures from the Federal Statistical Office show a clear trend. Since 2015, the number of deaths has increased by 20.6 percent. The reason: More and more users of Pedelecs – colloquially known as e-bikes – are having fatal accidents. The number increased from 36 (2015) to 217 (2025). Older people are particularly at risk: More than 61 percent of the victims were seniors aged 65 and over, and the proportion of e-bike users is even higher.

Infrastructure hasn’t kept up

Kirstin Zeidler, head of accident research at the General Association of Insurers (GDV), sees a structural problem. “We have had a bicycle boom for many years and there are more and more Pedelecs on the streets,” she explains. That is fundamentally positive. “But the cycling infrastructure has not developed as necessary. And the heavier Pedelecs with greater acceleration are more difficult to control.” In older people, injuries are usually more severe after a fall.

The statistics show another pattern: usually others are involved. In two thirds of all accidents with injuries, another road user was involved. Collisions with pedestrians: In 58.1 percent, the cyclist was primarily at fault. In case of accidents Autos: 25.3 percent. Siegfried Brockmann, head of accident research at the Björn Steiger Foundation, warns: Cyclists have part of their own skill in their own hands – for example when it comes to attention and distraction. Cell phone use is also widespread on bicycles.

Separate traffic light switching required

In order to reduce the number of accidents, both experts are calling for investments in transport infrastructure. A particular focus: confusing intersections. “It would be best if there was a separate green area for cyclists and cyclists at traffic light intersections Motor vehicles “There is,” says Zeidler. It is also important to have well-developed cycle paths within the city that are well away from parking spaces Traffic as well as separate cycle paths on country roads.

The expert recommends: “We are also in favor of Pedelec training, especially for older people, and strongly recommend that all cyclists – whether with or without an electric auxiliary motor – wear a helmet. No helmet requirement, but insight out of personal responsibility.” The development of skiers shows that this is possible. More controls are also needed against speeding drivers or illegal parking. But Zeidler also makes it clear: “We knowledge out of Investigations But also that cyclists themselves break the rules: riding on sidewalks or in the wrong direction are typical causes of accidents.