Hamburg Plans Vigil After Second Cyclist Killed in Truck Accident Within Days

Hamburg is once again mourning a cyclist lost to the dangers of urban traffic, this time a tragic accident involving a truck. The planned vigil by the General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) on Sunday is a somber reminder of the escalating risks faced by cyclists in our city. This latest fatality, occurring just two days after the heartbreaking death of an 11-year-old boy in a similar collision, has intensified calls for immediate action.

The ADFC's planned memorial at the scene of the accident, where a white ghost bike will be erected, serves not only as a tribute to the victim but also as a powerful statement. It highlights the alarming frequency of such incidents and the perceived inaction from city officials. The group has directly appealed to Mayor Peter Tschentscher and Interior Senator Andy Grote, urging their participation in the vigil, not just to express condolences but to signal a genuine commitment to cyclist safety.

“

Anteilnahme zu zeigen und der Familie des Opfers sein Beileid persönlich zu übermitteln, schafft natürlich noch keine sicheren Radwege. Aber es wäre das Signal: «Ihr seid uns nicht völlig gleichgültig!»

Leo Strohm, an ADFC board member, did not mince words, calling the current Senate's approach "scandalous." He pointed to the grim statistics – eleven cyclists killed and hundreds seriously injured annually – and contrasted this with the Senate's focus on counting parking spaces. The ADFC argues that Hamburg is failing to implement the principles of Vision Zero, which aims for zero fatalities and serious injuries in traffic.

The demands from the ADFC are clear and urgent: the creation of safe cycle paths and pedestrian walkways, stricter speed limits, and enhanced enforcement of regulations for truck drivers, particularly concerning speed and turning maneuvers. Furthermore, the ADFC is pushing for mandatory installation of turning and emergency braking assistants on all trucks, or alternatively, a requirement for a co-driver. Without these measures, the ADFC contends, trucks should not be permitted on Hamburg's streets. This is not merely about preventing accidents; it is about fundamentally reshaping our urban environment to prioritize the safety of its most vulnerable road users.

“

Elf getötete und mehrere hundert schwer verletzte Radfahrer*innen pro Jahr – und was macht der Senat? Er zählt Kfz-Parkplätze.