representatives of cyclists and logistics industry are calling for more safety in traffic. For that, you together now, even.
memory of a cyclist after a fatal truck accident in Berlin photo: Christian Mang
On the road they are often afraid and angry at the political level, their representatives are now trying for the first time, the shoulder-to-shoulder: The General German Bicycle Club (ADFC) and the German Association for haulage, logistics and disposal (BGL) presented their joint demands for more safety in road traffic.
In a position paper calling for the two interest groups, the conversion to safe intersections, separate green phases at traffic lights for cyclists and cars, as well as the speedy equipment of all Truck turn-by-turn assistance systems. Especially the right of a turning truck can be for cyclists life-threatening.
Since the beginning of this year, six people have been killed in Germany from the turn-off Trucks, every year there are 30 to 40. Women, children and the elderly were over-represented in this type of bike accident explained clearly ADFC chief Executive Burkhard Stork at the presentation of the joint position paper in Berlin.
“It is in the rule, the weaker traffic participants. The cliché that the Bicycle couriers of the back of Trucks over meander and be captured, that’s not true,“ he said. To the Truck drivers, the past is not without a trace. In the event of an accident, the Truck driver suffered under the consequences, said BGL-speaker of the Board Dirk Engelhardt. “When a driver causes an accident, he is traumatized and is able to exercise his profession, probably, never again.”
The installation of a turn-off assistant in Trucks can prevent accidents. These devices alert signals the driver with acoustic and optical alarm, when in the dead angle of a Person is located. The brakes of the vehicle, however, not independently.
are equipped Currently, according to the associations, only about five to ten percent of the German Trucks with a turn-off assistant. “Still, there is not the wizard, from the factory,” said Engelhardt. “There are retrofit solutions.” The cost of the retrofits: 1,500 to 3,000 Euro. The manufacturer of the commercial vehicles would have to react, at the EU level, the necessary requirements for Trucks had been delayed for too long.
ADFC, the managing Director of Stork makes the former transport Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) is responsible. “To us four years of absence, because Dobrindt has not acted,” he said. Dobrindts successor and party colleague, Andreas Scheuer, however, have directly acted according to his office, and a funding pot for the installation of the turning wizard set up the was retrieved shortly. “What he brought on the way, we welcome very much,” said Stork.
in addition to turning the wizard, calling on the associations of Changes to the transport infrastructure. You want participants to junctions, where traffic flows of vehicles and bicycles are spatially separated, different green phases for different traffic and safe routes for large urban construction projects.
money is not enough there are the associations for sure. “The climate package of the Federal government, which is held in many Places inadequate, is not in Cycling,” said Stork. By 2023, 900 million euros for Cycling policy actions to be implemented in the Federal budget. In addition, there is money for States and municipalities.
“Every mayor, and every mayor, tomorrow may be to reprogram discuss with your local Council what is going on immediately, for example, traffic lights,” said Stork. “No municipality will have to do without at the Moment for financial reasons.”
