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Editor:
Presscouncil City of Chemnitz
Pressrelease: 671

Tips for safe cycling

Last week, the police detected and punished several offences during three bicycle traffic checks on Zwickauer Straße: Among other things, cyclists were riding in the opposite lane, riding without lights, using mobile phones while riding or riding without the prescribed and type-approved lights.

The city's traffic authority is taking this as an opportunity to emphasise once again that the bicycle is a vehicle to which the general rules of the StVO apply. The StVO also contains special regulations for cyclists.


In general, cyclists must ride on the right, not only on the carriageway, but also on cycle paths, cycle lanes, authorised footpaths, hard shoulders and cycle lanes. Nevertheless, it is becoming increasingly common to see cyclists travelling as so-called "wrong-way drivers", riding on the left and thus endangering other road users.


Riding the wrong way is particularly dangerous at junctions, crossroads and exits, where motorists do not expect cyclists to come from the right. This is also shown by the number of accidents on Zwickauer Straße between Falkeplatz and Kappler Drehe. In 2019, 16 road accidents involving cyclists occurred here, in which two road users were seriously injured and eleven were slightly injured.


Following local accident investigations, the accident commission decided on several short and long-term measures to improve road safety this year. For example, stop signs were erected at the accident blackspots at the Herbertstraße junction and the Zwickauer Straße exit no. 73, stop lines were marked, cycle pictograms were installed and the cycle crossings were coloured red. In addition, the Chemnitz police department was asked for assistance in enforcing the road traffic regulations.


The road traffic regulations are intended to ensure safe road traffic. Only if every road user adheres to these regulations can it be guaranteed that no one will be injured in an accident. The presence of the police at cycle traffic facilities should also have an educational effect on road users and promote acceptance of the regulations.


Cyclists can increase their own safety through their own behaviour on the road and thus also indirectly influence the behaviour of other people on the road:

  • Participating in road traffic also requires constant caution and mutual consideration for cyclists.
  • Ride with foresight and give hand signals in necessary traffic situations. Seek eye contact with other road users.
  • Pay particular attention to turning motor vehicles, even if you have priority (current topic: blind spots).
  • Do not ride as a wrong-way driver against the prescribed direction of travel. Please always use the right-hand cycle lane unless otherwise signposted. Wrong-way cyclists are easily overlooked and risk serious accidents as well as a warning or fine.