Bicycle thief drives as a wrong-way driver on the A45 – police strike!

Bicycle thief drives as a wrong-way driver on the A45 – police strike!

In a bizarre incident on the A45 motorway near Langenselbold on the morning of June 11, 2025, several road users were kept in suspense. A 48-year-old man, who was obviously looking for a quick way out, was spotted in oncoming traffic as a suspected bicycle thief. The cyclist rolled towards Gießen and not only questioned the safety of other road users, but also exposed himself to considerable danger.

The highway patrol received several calls about the abnormal sight of a cyclist simply ignoring the direction of travel. When the officers arrived, it quickly became apparent that the man had already turned around and continued driving against the direction of travel on the hard shoulder. His journey took him on an e-bike that had been reported stolen. After the check, his personal details and fingerprints were found at the police station. The man is now facing charges of endangering road traffic and receiving stolen property.

Ghost rider on the bike

The incident highlights the problem of wrong-way driving, which not only affects drivers. Cyclists can also be considered wrong-way drivers if they are traveling in the wrong direction on roads or cycle paths. According to current traffic regulations, cyclists are obliged to drive on the right. On one-way streets, only the direction indicated by the traffic sign is permitted. On cycle paths you must use the right-hand path in the direction of travel, unless a traffic sign allows different use. Violations of these regulations can be punished with fines of between 15 and 35 euros, depending on whether a hazard or an accident has occurred, according to bussgeldkatalog.org.

The dangers of riding the wrong way on a bicycle should not be underestimated. Cyclists are unprotected, there is no helmet requirement and no crumple zone to protect them in the event of an accident. Therefore, they are usually fully at fault when collisions with other road users occur. A specific case showed that a court rejected a claim for damages from a cyclist who was traveling on the wrong side of the road and collided with a car (AZ 345 C 23506/12).

Rules of conduct for cyclists

In order to avoid such dangerous situations, it is important that cyclists are informed about the applicable traffic regulations. Not only should you regularly refresh your knowledge, but you should also be careful not to endanger your safety and that of other road users. A quick skim of the most important rules could summarize as follows:

• Radfahrer müssen auf der Straße das Rechtsfahrgebot beachten.
• In Einbahnstraßen nur in der vorgegebenen Richtung fahren.
• Auf Radwegen den rechten Weg in Fahrtrichtung benutzen.
• Bußgelder bei Missachtung können schnell zwischen 15 und 35 Euro liegen.

Ignorance of traffic rules and the pursuit of convenience often lead to wrong-way driving. As part of the transport community, it is therefore crucial to follow the rules and drive responsibly to avoid accidents and ensure the safety of all road users. The incident on the A45 once again makes it clear: safety is the top priority!