Rostock/Schwerin/Neubrandenburg (dpa/mv) - In June in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, the police are targeting electric bikes and e-scooters more closely. The cause is the sharp increase in the use of these two-wheelers with electric motors, which is leading to an increase in the number of accidents, as a police spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Every month there are priority checks in the country under a special topic - in June this is called "bicycles/e-scooters/pedelecs".
In 2021, 1526 cyclists had an accident in the north-east, including around 180 e-bikers, which corresponds to a share of 12 percent. In 2020 there were 1,668 cyclists involved in accidents, with around 10 percent being on bikes with electric motors. In 2019, this proportion was still 7 percent. A 32-year-old e-bike rider was critically injured in Binz on the island of Rügen a week ago when he lost control of his electric mountain bike and crashed into a lantern.
So-called S-Pedelecs, which can reach speeds of up to 45 kilometers per hour, are enjoying growing popularity. The correct direction of travel, tires and lighting should be checked in particular. According to the police, children up to the age of eight must ride on the sidewalk, children up to the age of ten are allowed to do so. Anyone who accompanies children of this age by bike is also allowed to do so as a supervisor.
