Accidents involving racing cyclists have been a frequent occurrence in police reports lately. What makes the sport dangerous, how to drive safely in a group, and what particularly upsets drivers. A conversation with cycling expert Andreas Bartmann.
Interviewed by
Barbara Mooser
A racing cyclist gets onto the banquet, stumbles and, when he falls, knocks over a fellow cyclist riding next to him. Both are seriously injured in the accident near Aßling. Only three days later: A group of racing cyclists wants to turn off near Moosach, a 75-year-old notices the braking maneuver before the change of direction too late, he crashes into the 68-year-old riding in front of him. Both fall, the older one suffers serious injuries. A few weeks earlier: A 13-year-old racing cyclist couldn’t brake in time on the winding track near Maria Altenburg when the car stopped in front of her – she fell and was thrown through the windshield. Accidents involving racing cyclists have also been a frequent occurrence in police reports lately. So is it dangerous to get on a racing bike after work or at the weekend? Yes – that’s how you could roughly sum up Andreas Bartmann’s assessment. The 31-year-old has been an enthusiastic racing cyclist and head of the bike division at RSC Elkofen, one of the most important cycling clubs in the Ebersberg district, since he was 16.