Traffic - More fatal cycling accidents - WHO calls for more protection
More and more people are cycling in many regions, but climate-friendly transportation comes at a price: while the number of road deaths per 1,000 people fell by 16% between 2010 and 2021, the proportion of cyclists in global road deaths rose from 5% to 6%, reported the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva.
Every day, around 3,200 people are killed in road traffic worldwide. According to estimates, 1.19 million people died in 2021. Road accidents are the most common cause of death among children and young people up to the age of 29, said Etienne Krug, Director of the responsible WHO department in Geneva. 30 percent of the fatalities were car occupants, 70 percent pedestrians, cyclists, moped riders and other road users.
Only 0.2 percent of roads worldwide have dedicated lanes for bicycles. The WHO, which promotes healthy transportation such as walking or cycling, appealed to governments and authorities to ensure safe cycle paths. Denmark and the Netherlands are exemplary countries, said Krug. There, cycling is made safe with paths that separate cyclists from road traffic. Speed limits are important to protect cyclists and other road users. Cyclists themselves should wear helmets, said Krug. They should ride carefully and make themselves clearly visible with lights on their bikes and suitable clothing.
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The increase in cycling has resulted in a rise in fatal bicycle accidents, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to call for more protection. This concern was voiced during a meeting in Geneva, where the WHO department responsible for health highlighted the issue. According to WHO data, road accidents are the leading cause of death among young people up to age 29, making up 70% of all fatalities. To address this, the WHO urged international authorities to prioritize the creation of dedicated bike lanes and implement speed limits to protect cyclists. Switzerland, often recognized for its traffic safety, could serve as a model in implementing these changes. Regrettably, despite these efforts, a bicycle accident can still occur, highlighting the need for cyclists to wear helmets and take safety precautions, such as using lights and visibility-enhancing clothing.
Source: www.stern.de
