Cyclist seriously injured in Seeheim-Jugenheim: collision with deer!

Cyclist seriously injured in Seeheim-Jugenheim: collision with deer!

In an unfortunate incident, a 61-year-old cyclist was seriously injured on the evening of July 11, 2025 in Seeheim-Jugenheim (Darmstadt-Dieburg district) after colliding with a deer. The man was on a Pedelec when the animal crossed the road on district road 143 between Ober-Beerbach and Seeheim. Despite his attempts to avoid a collision, an impact occurred and the cyclist fell.

The cyclist sustained serious injuries as a result of the fall and had to be flown to an accident clinic in a rescue helicopter. The deer, however, escaped into the forest apparently unharmed. As a result of the accident, the county road was closed for about half an hour to clarify the situation and carry out rescue operations. The authorities are now investigating the exact circumstances of the accident.

The increase in solo accidents

The incident comes in the context of an alarming development in the area of ​​road safety for cyclists. According to the insurers' accident research (UDV) in the GDV, solo cycling accidents have more than doubled in the last 15 years. Studies published in December 2024 show that there were almost 27,400 cycling accidents without anyone else involved, with around 6,400 people being seriously injured and 147 killed.

Nowadays, solo accidents account for 29% of cycling accidents with personal injuries and are responsible for 33% of deaths and 44% of seriously injured cyclists. Of particular concern is the increase in the proportion of people over 66 years of age among those involved in accidents, which rose from 14% to 20%. These seniors are often more vulnerable, react more slowly and lose their balance more quickly.

Causes for the increasing number of accidents

The UDV examines three main factors that contribute to the increase in these solo accidents: infrastructure, people and vehicles. The perception of unsuitable road conditions as the main cause is alarming. Police classify infrastructure as a major factor in one in three accidents, with dangerous elements such as curbs and tram tracks often mentioned.

• Faktor Infrastruktur: Schlechte Wegeverhältnisse sind ein zentrales Problem. Die meisten Stürze passieren bei widrigen Wetterbedingungen, insbesondere zwischen Dezember und Februar, wenn Nässe, Eis, Schnee und Laub die Straßenverhältnisse verschlechtern.
• Faktor Mensch: Fast zwei Drittel der Radfahrenden geben an, ihre eigene Fahrweise habe zum Unfall beigetragen. Insbesondere schnelles Fahren und Unaufmerksamkeit sind häufige Ursachen.
• Faktor Fahrzeug: Mängel am Fahrrad spielen nur in einem geringen Prozentsatz der Alleinunfälle eine Rolle, dennoch sollten Radfahrende ihre Räder regelmäßig auf Sicherheit überprüfen.

UDV leader Kirstin Zeidler emphasizes the need for safer cycle paths and proactive driving to avoid such accidents. It remains to be hoped that targeted measures and education can improve safety for cyclists in the future.

South German newspaper and CIV provide further insights into the current accident situation and its background.