Safe Cycling: What the 2025 DEKRA Study Reveals

For the 2025 Bicycle Study, the market research institute Ipsos surveyed 1,000 bicycle owners across Germany in September 2025 on behalf of the expert organization DEKRA. The study focused on perceptions of safety, helmet use, service habits, and expectations of specialty retailers. The results paint a sobering picture: While bicycles and e-bikes are becoming increasingly important for everyday mobility, road safety is not keeping pace everywhere.

Accident statistics from the Federal Statistical Office also underscore this: According to these figures, 445 cyclists were killed in Germany in 2024—virtually unchanged from 2023. Noteworthy is the shift within this group: 195 of those killed—or 43.8 percent—were riding a pedelec. Ten years earlier, this share stood at 9.8 percent. Anyone who cycles on public roads should therefore know what the issues are—and where personal behavior makes a difference.

The 2025 DEKRA study shows that 39 percent of respondents feel unsafe or very unsafe in city traffic. On rural roads, the figure is 33 percent. Compared to the studies from 2023 and 2024, no clear upward trend is apparent—the subjective sense of safety has stagnated. Thirteen percent feel very safe in the city, and another 45 percent feel safe.

“So while a majority does feel reasonably safe on the road, But the fact that so many still feel unsafe is not a good sign,” says Peter Rücker, Head of DEKRA Accident Research, in a press release published as part of the data announcement. Respondents see the main cause in the infrastructure: more and better bike lanes, as well as better separation from motorized traffic, are at the top of the wish list for a greater sense of safety.

One of the most striking findings of the 2025 DEKRA study concerns helmets: 35 percent of the cyclists surveyed say they do not own a bicycle helmet at all. Among this group, 14 percent cite the fact that they cycle infrequently or only cover short distances. 11 percent find helmets “ugly” or unattractive, and 10 percent find them uncomfortable. Another 32 percent simply say they don’t need one.

Even those who own a helmet don’t necessarily wear it: 56 percent of helmet owners say they always wear it, 30 percent say they wear it fairly often. 11 percent wear it rarely, and 3 percent never. Particularly striking: On short trips and in natural settings, helmets are left at home more often than on country roads—even though falls can happen just as easily there.

A bike in perfect working order is the foundation of safe riding. Yet this is precisely where the 2025 DEKRA study reveals a concerning trend: 68 percent of respondents do not have their bikes serviced regularly—up from 62 percent the previous year. Only 37 percent regularly visit a preferred specialist shop, while 63 percent do not have a regular repair shop.

Among those who forego professional service, 38 percent say they handle repairs and maintenance themselves. 23 percent see no need for it, and 12 percent find the service too expensive. “The trend continues toward e-bikes with electric pedal assistance—this not only increases average speed but also the technical complexity of the vehicle,” warns Peter Rücker. Brake systems, battery systems, and drive electronics belong in the hands of experts.

At the same time, respondents expect specific services from specialty retailers: 41 percent want professional advice in the event of damage, 31 percent want e-bike expertise and online appointment booking, and 26 percent want a replacement bike during repairs. Additionally, 27 percent expect the specialty shop to handle the entire claims process—only 17 percent say their regular dealer already offers this.