Browsing: from-the-street

A recent mobility comparison shows that motorcycles remain the fastest mode of transport in city traffic. However, bicycles are becoming a real alternative, especially for short distances.

Tesla wants to introduce its Full Self-Driving system in Europe as quickly as possible, but serious accidents involving motorcycles are raising questions about safety. The Dutch registration authority RDW is demanding that the protection of motorcyclists be a priority—only then can approval be granted.

The German motorcycle market will experience a significant decline in 2025, while Switzerland will remain virtually stable. At the same time, Chinese manufacturers are gaining in importance and shifting the balance of power in the market.

The Administrative Court of Hanover has provisionally confirmed the temporary driving ban for motorcycles on the K74 between Westendorf and Bernsen. The decision is based on a series of accidents which, according to the court, constitute a qualified hazard.

The MC Hermsdorf clubhouse was completely destroyed by fire in mid-November. The club, which has been socially engaged for decades, now faces major challenges itself and is appealing for donations.

The National Motorcyclists Council (NMC) is using the National Road Safety Conference in the United Kingdom to call for a fundamental change in transport policy. Instead of continuing to treat motorcycles as a nuisance, the NMC is campaigning for them to be accepted as an equal and sustainable part of the transport system.

A round table was set up in the district of Aschaffenburg to discuss road safety for motorcyclists and how to deal with noise caused by motorcycles. The initiative came from the district municipalities, in particular from Laufach’s mayor Friedrich Fleckenstein. The focus is on the circuit between Laufach, Heigenbrücken, Jakobsthal, and Sailauf, as well as the access roads from Wiesen and Vormwald. This route is apparently used regularly for time trials and filming unauthorized “competitions,” which repeatedly causes considerable noise pollution for residents.

In Langscheid, a district on Lake Sorpe, a citizens’ initiative is about to be launched to combat increasing road noise. On November 6, affected residents will meet at the Langscheid sports park to officially launch the association. The aim of the initiative is to make the climatic health resort of Langscheid more pleasant for residents, guests, and those seeking relaxation, and to increase road safety.

When riding a motorcycle, if your shadow is long and lies directly in front of the motorcycle on the road, the sun is low and behind you. What seems idyllic at first glance actually poses considerable dangers. For oncoming traffic, this means that drivers are blinded and, in the worst case, cannot see motorcyclists at all.

In October 2025, motorcycle noise in the Danube Valley was once again the focus of political attention: the Petitions Committee of the Baden-Württemberg State Parliament dealt with a petition calling for a ban on combustion engine motorcycles on State Road 277 between Fridingen an der Donau and Sigmaringen on Sundays and public holidays, as well as the targeted promotion of electric motorcycles. According to the petitioners, the aim was to reduce noise pollution for the local population and those seeking relaxation. However, I do not know exactly who submitted the petition, what demands it contained in detail, or how many people supported the cause, as I have not yet been able to find the petition.

Since July 1, 2025, lane splitting and lane filtering have been officially permitted in the US state of Minnesota. Three months after its introduction, the local traffic safety authority has made an initial assessment: the change has brought relief to many motorcyclists, but at the same time has sparked debate – both among motorcyclists and car drivers. There is no clear consensus on the issue.

The winding country road between Zella-Mehlis and Oberhof in southern Thuringia has been popular with motorcyclists for years – but it is also notorious. In 2023 and 2024, a total of 19 traffic accidents occurred there, two of them fatal. To counteract this, so-called rumble strips were installed at seven critical points in September 2025. The measure, supported by the Thuringian State Office for Construction and Transport, was implemented in the week before September 16, 2025, and is intended to make risky driving maneuvers significantly more difficult.

Since spring 2025, Sudelfeldstraße (B307) between the Inn Valley and Bayrischzell has been temporarily closed to motorcyclists in one direction. The regulation applies daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the section between Tatzelwurm and Bayrischzell and was introduced as part of a two-year trial period by the Rosenheim and Miesbach district offices. The official goal is to reduce the number of accidents on the winding route, which is popular with motorcyclists.

A British motorcyclist has been banned from driving for life in Switzerland after performing a total of 47 illegal overtaking maneuvers in the Gotthard Tunnel. In addition to this measure, according to media reports, he must pay a fine of around €12,690 (approx. CHF 13,600 or £11,000). The public prosecutor’s office is also investigating serious traffic offenses.

In London, motorcyclists and drivers could face penalties in more areas of the city in the future if they attract attention with loud or aggressive driving. The Westminster City Council is currently considering extending an existing ban that has been in place in parts of the capital since 2021.

On July 12, 2025, a serious traffic accident occurred on the B500 near Helbingfelsen near Baden-Baden, in which a 53-year-old Ducati rider was critically injured. Investigators from the Bühl traffic service branch, in cooperation with the Baden-Baden public prosecutor’s office, have now been able to identify the motorcyclists presumed to be responsible.

During the weekend of Hamburg Harley Days 2025, the Hanseatic city once again transformed into a mecca for motorcycle enthusiasts. Thousands of Harley riders traveled from all over Europe to share their passion for the legendary US bikes. While the event seemed to be a complete success with test rides, new models, and a well-thought-out sustainability concept, the weekend was overshadowed by extensive police checks.

Portugal has drastically tightened the legal situation surrounding dashcams and now joins a number of countries that completely prohibit the use of such devices. Together with Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland, there is now a de facto or legal total ban on dashcams.  For tourists, this means that anyone driving with a camera on their windshield risks severe penalties – sometimes for the mere possession of such a device.

From January 1, 2026, a far-reaching innovation in the field of road safety will come into force in Spain: the classic warning triangle will no longer be used on freeways and dual carriageways.  Instead, the so-called V16 warning light will become mandatory.  The Spanish traffic authority Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) is thus pursuing the goal of significantly increasing safety in the event of breakdowns or accidents – especially under difficult visibility conditions or in heavy traffic.

The town of Göppingen(Germany) has made a controversial decision: Massive concrete barriers have been erected on the Aasrücken, a popular excursion route for motorcyclists and sports car enthusiasts.  The aim of this measure is to protect residents in the surrounding districts such as Hohenstaufen, Maitis, Lenglingen and Ottenbach from persistent engine noise and dangerous driving maneuvers.  However, the measure is dividing the public – there is intense debate about it on social networks in particular.