It's a bitter dispute that rages on Swiss roads. Both cyclists and car drivers claim their place on the asphalt and do not hesitate to point fingers at each other. On the one hand, cycling enthusiasts deplore a lack of cycle paths. On the other hand, motorists criticize the sometimes dangerous behavior of two-wheelers. An observation partly confirmed by a recent study by the Accident Prevention Bureau (BPA). This reveals that most bicycle accidents are caused by… cyclists themselves, and without any external influence.
In Switzerland, more than 800 people are seriously injured each year in bicycle accidents, and around twenty cyclists lose their lives, according to averages for the last five years (2019–2023), reports the BPA. Highlight: more than half of serious accidents involving bicycles (54%) and electric bicycles (57%) are solitary accidents, i.e. no other vehicle is involved. “In just over half of the accidents involving seriously injured or killed cyclists, cyclists are the main culprits,” explains Christoph Leibundgut, spokesperson for the BPA.
Among minors up to 17 years old, four out of five serious accidents are due to their own errors, mainly failure to respect priorities. “What makes it even more difficult for children and young people is that they are not yet able to correctly assess the dangers,” explains Christoph Leibundgut. Among 18 to 44 year olds, alcohol consumption is the main source of accidents. Among those aged 45 and over, distraction and inattention dominate, often linked to the use of mobile phones.
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