Vigil in Hammerbrook: Mourning for killed cyclists after accident

Vigil in Hammerbrook: Mourning for killed cyclists after accident

In Hamburg-Hammerbrook, a tragic accident and the increasing number of traffic accidents ensure concern among cyclists and pedestrians. On May 27, 2025, a cyclist got under the wheels to turn a truck on the Heidenkampsweg/Bullerdeich and succumbed to his serious injuries five days later. The circumstances of the accident are shocking: the cyclist was dragged several meters, and part of his leg had to be amputated on site. This cruel reality is part of an alarming statistics that already recorded six deaths among cyclists in Hamburg in the first five months of 2025, while in the previous year the number was at a high with ten deaths. [ADFC] reports that Thomas Lütke, a spokesman for the ADFC, expresses open trouble and grief about the incident. He sees the failure of the Senate and the police and urges effective measures to protect road users.

As the current accident statistics show, the situation remains tense. According to [T-Online], there was a decrease in total accidents by 6.2 percent compared to the previous year in the first quarter of 2025, but the number of injured cyclists has increased alarming. 447 cyclists were slightly injured, which corresponds to an increase of 21.1 percent compared to the previous year, while the number of cyclists killed rose to three. The number of injuries also increased by 7.2 percent for pedestrians, which illustrates the critical situation in the Hanseatic city again. These figures also skill light on current traffic safety in the city and the challenges that cyclists and pedestrians look for.

demands for changes

The challenges for cyclists in Hamburg are increasing. In 2023 there were a total of 4,035 bicycle accidents, which underlines the danger of cycling in the city. According to [Fink], cars are involved in almost 50 percent of these accidents, while 25 percent are due to single accidents. Typical causes such as the "not looking at the right of way" and "mistakes when turning" also play a crucial role. Why are the accidents so numerous? Despite the increase in new bike paths, cycling is considered dangerous. Every year bicycle traffic in the city increases, and unfortunately also the number of accidents.

A call to the traffic turnaround

The accident statistics illustrate the need for a comprehensive transition in Hamburg. The goal should be the “Vision Zero” initiative, which aims not to allow traffic fatalities. Hamburg committed itself to this ambitious goal in 2007. Nevertheless, the numbers have risen alarming in recent years. A look into the future: The 2024 citizens' elections will also decide on mobility in Hamburg. A favorable opportunity to set a strong sign for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians and to significantly improve the infrastructure.

The city needs change! Cycling and pedestrian security must no longer be left behind. The accident in Hammerbrook is not just a tragic individual case, but a wake -up call for everyone who lives in this city and who want to be safe in the future.