Safer on two wheels: Borken fights against rising number of accidents!

Safer on two wheels: Borken fights against rising number of accidents!

On March 23, 2025, traffic accident development in 2024 was presented in the Borken district as part of a press event in Gronau. There was a mixed picture: Although the total number of traffic accidents increase minimally, the number of victims and the seriously injured and road dead fell compared to the previous year. District Administrator Dr. Kai Zwicker welcomed the media representatives to the scene of the previous year and emphasized that such statistics stand for many individual fates.

traffic safety consultant Michael Schneider explained the tragic consequences of an accident with two slightly injured people. One focus was on the traffic accidents of cycling and pedelecks, which make up a particularly high proportion of mobility in the Borken district. The aim of the authorities is to reduce the number of accidents among this group through preventive measures and increased controls.

Statistical developments at a glance

The following information on the figures submitted made the following information: The total number of traffic accidents rose by 1.1 % to 11,455 in 2024. However, the number of victims decreased by 1.9 % to 1,781. The number of road users killed fell from 18 in 2023 in 2024, while the number of seriously injured fell from 263 to 220. The fact that 44.4 % of the victims were traveling with a bike or pedelec were particularly worrying. This is well above the national average of 25.8 %.

According to the data, 407 pedelecring and 374 cyclists have an accident, which is an increase compared to the previous year. In 2023 there were still 388 pedelecists and 359 cyclists. A total of 781 people in the Borken district had a bike or pedelec, 34 more than in the previous year. This clearly shows that there is a need for an urgent need for action.

assessment of the environment and future measures

The district of Borken, which is particularly suitable for cyclists, is considered a pioneer in the mobility turnaround and is advertised as a cycling area for tourism. The positive development of bicycle traffic is confirmed by the 2023 mobility survey, in which 45 % of the respondents said that they use a bike or pedelec almost every day. 32 % of all paths covered in the circle are carried out by bike or pedelec.

However, there is also a challenge: the safety of bicycle helmets has not yet reached many cyclists. The district police authority has carried out intensive actions for traffic accident prevention for years. The measures include an information and training program, especially for senior citizens, since their number increases significantly among the victims. The city of Bocholt recorded the highest number of 196 accidents with cyclists, followed by Borken City with 92 and Rhede with 42nd

in 2023, 290 senior citizens were injured in accidents, of which 55.2 % bike or pedelecists were. In 2024, the number of injured seniors rose to 314, with 58.3 % bike or pedelecy traveling. All the more important are targeted measures that will have to be implemented in the coming years in order to reduce the number of accidents and increase traffic safety.

The comprehensive data on traffic accident statistics serve not only the analysis, but also as the basis for legislation and measures in the areas of traffic education and road construction. This is crucial to ensure security for all road users and to sustainably improve the accident dynamics in the region. The situation analysis and strategies based on it are closely related to the general goal of increasing traffic safety nationwide, as well as the Statistics emphasized.