Number of Fatal Bicycle Accidents Has Decreased Significantly
A detailed analysis by the VCÖ for the period from 2021 to 2023 shows that only two of the total 136 fatal cycling accidents occurred on structurally separated bike paths - therefore, an increased expansion of bike paths was demanded.
81 Percent of Fatal Cycling Accidents on General Roads
In these three years, 110 people, which is 81 percent, had accidents not on a cycling facility, but on general roads. This proportion was particularly high outside urban areas at 92 percent. Of the fatal cycling accidents outside urban areas, two-thirds occurred on roads with a speed limit of 100. "Especially where there are settlements, the nearest place should not only be accessible via a rural road but also via a safe bike path," emphasized VCÖ expert Katharina Jaschinsky.
Fatal Cycling Accidents: More Consideration for Older Road Users Demanded
Especially in terms of cycling infrastructure, there is a significant need for improvement in Austria. Too narrow bike paths or completely missing bike paths on roads where speeds over 30 kilometers per hour are allowed pose a major safety risk, wrote the VCÖ. Once again, it is evident that the traffic system must take more consideration of older people. Accordingly, 17 of the 32 fatalities last year were over 65 years old, and ten fatalities were over 75 years old. Together with the population, the VCÖ now wants to highlight problem areas for cycling. Dangerous sections can be entered on an online map. The mobility organization collects the entries and forwards them to the responsible city or municipality or the respective federal state.
(APA/Red)
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