This weather, drizzle at dusk, clouds of fog in the morning, heavy rain or even snowfall: in the dark season, there are many situations in which cyclists are difficult or almost impossible to see. Especially if the bikes are not sufficiently lit and their riders are wearing dark clothing.
In addition, the visibility of motorists is significantly reduced in the winter months. As a result, there are more accidents involving people on foot or on bicycles at this time of year. According to the Federal Statistical Office, for example, around a third more pedestrians are involved in accidents between November and January than the annual average.
Make yourself visible!
The police are therefore appealing to all cyclists, pedelec and e-bike riders, as well as pedestrians and e-scooter users: make yourself visible!
The first way to do this is to make sure your lights are working. A front and rear light on the bike are required by law anyway. Also mandatory: a large white front reflector and a large red reflector at the rear as well as front and rear yellow reflectors on the pedals.
In addition, the police strongly recommend using other aids.
- Light-colored clothing: Wearing light-colored clothing improves visibility in the dark to around 40 meters. People wearing dark clothing, for example, are often only recognized by drivers from a distance of 25 meters.
- Clothing and applications with reflective material: This increases visibility at a distance of up to 140 meters. There is a large selection: there are reflective vests, helmet covers, snap-on wristbands, trouser clips, blinkies as well as reflective patches and tags for bags and backpacks.
- Cat's eyes and other spoke reflectors: Additional reflectors on the bike - over and above those required by law - significantly increase visibility for cyclists. An investment that pays off
.
- There are also completely reflective items of clothing and accessories such as winter jackets, shoulder bags and rucksacks. These also make you more visible.
- Everything that is carried on foot should also be equipped with reflective items - be it a baby carriage, rollator, wheelchair, walking aid or a dog on a lead.
It is in everyone's interest that cyclists and pedestrians - especially children and young people on their way to school, for example - make themselves visible to other road users by using various aids during the darker months of the year. This prevents accidents.
For car drivers and drivers of motorcycles, vans, trucks, buses, etc. During the winter months:
- Watch out for cyclists and pedestrians, especially in the dark hours of the year, drive with foresight and be ready to brake
- Ensure that headlights, indicators, rear lights, brake lights and windscreen wipers are in good working order
- Fill the wiper fluid tank with sufficient antifreeze, cleaner and water
- In frost and snow, thoroughly sweep and scrape all windows clear to ensure good visibility