The number of bicycle accidents in Tölzer Land has increased significantly compared to the previous year. Unfortunately, not all cyclists wear a helmet. Experts appeal to recreational athletes not to drive "topless".
- In 2020 there was a significant increase in bicycle accidents in the district
- Askelpios Stadtklinik reminds you how important it is to wear a helmet
- A few things should be considered when buying a helmet
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen - Whether e-bike, mountain bike or city bike: cycling is trendy, especially now at home during the summer holidays. Accidents are not uncommon, and some of them have fatal consequences.
According to Andreas Rohrhofer, deputy head of the Bad Tölz police station, the number of accidents involving cyclists and pedelecs has risen considerably. "In 2020 there are up to 50 percent more accidents than in the same period in 2019," he says.
250 patients after a fall from a bicycle in the city clinic
According to spokesman Christopher Horn, around 250 patients come to the Tölz Asklepios City Clinic every cycling season after a fall in the emergency room. The clinic has recorded a continuous increase in cycling accidents in recent years, this year it was 15 percent more than in 2019.
The increasing number of e-bikes also leads to a higher risk of accidents. "With them, considerable speeds are sometimes achieved that some cyclists were not used to before," warns Dr. Harald Rieger, Head of the Orthopedics, Trauma Surgery and Endoprosthetics Section at the Asklepios City Clinic. "E-bikes often tempt even inexperienced people to go on mountain tours, which can easily slip away due to a lack of routine."
Young people and seniors in particular are more likely to do without a protective helmet
False vanity or not: a helmet is indispensable to protect yourself from head injuries, says the trauma surgeon and explains: “The helmet reduces the energy that acts on the skull when it hits, and thus reduces the risk of fatal brain injuries. “According to an estimate by the German Society for Trauma Surgery (DGU), this risk drops by 60 to 70 percent. “Even though the proportion of cyclists with helmets has happily increased in recent years, too many continue to do without them,” said Rieger. "We often see patients who do not wear a helmet, especially among young people and senior citizens."
Dr. Harald Rieger is a trauma surgeon at the Asklepios City Clinic Bad Tölz.
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According to Rieger, the range of injuries ranges from bruises, lacerations and broken bones to traumatic brain or thoracic trauma. "Around five to ten percent of patients experience serious injuries, some of which have to be treated surgically," he regrets. "And unfortunately, fatal accidents happen again and again."
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But bad things can not only happen at high speeds or on daring downhill descents. "We often see relatively severe injuries in cyclists who have tipped over while standing, including their bikes, and sustained head injuries or fractures," says the doctor.
Pay attention to the test standard and fit when buying a helmet
If you want to buy a helmet, it is best to seek advice from a specialist shop. There the helmet is then adapted exactly to the head, says Rieger. Only a helmet that complies with the DIN EN 1078 test standard offers adequate protection in road traffic. It is also important that the chinstrap is checked for strength before every journey. Children's helmets should be checked annually. Another decisive factor: "After a fall with head impact, the helmet must be replaced, even if it does not show any visible damage," says Rieger.
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Peter Riedelsheimer, co-owner of the Tölz specialist bicycle shop Josef Riedelsheimer, also says: “The most important thing is that the helmet fits exactly. I recommend helmets from well-known manufacturers. ”These cost between 60 and 300 euros. "Depending on the price range, they differ in terms of ventilation, interior padding and comfort, but not in terms of safety," explains the expert. Advice and adjustments are essential. "Everyone has a different head shape."
Trauma surgeon Rieger advises anyone who falls badly with a helmet on to the emergency room: "You should urgently get a medical check-up, especially after accidents with skull impacts and after the dreaded 'handlebars in the stomach'." This is especially true for people taking anticoagulant drugs.
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