Hattingen: Cyclist seriously injured in accident with e-scooter

Hattingen, October 2, 2026: A 63-year-old cyclist has been seriously injured following a collision with an e-scooter. The Ennepe-Ruhr District Police reported today on the accident, which occurred on October 1. The exact cause is still under investigation. The case highlights the issue of bicycles and e-scooters sharing the same paths.

What the police have reported so far

• Time of accident: October 1, 2026, around 7:30 a.m.
• Location: Footpath/cycle path on Bochumer Straße.
• Involved parties: A 15-year-old e-scooter rider and a 63-year-old cyclist.
• Consequences: The cyclist was seriously injured; the teenager sustained minor injuries.

According to initial findings, the teenager was riding in the direction of Hattingen. In a slight curve, the cyclist was traveling toward him; both vehicles collided head-on, and those involved fell. The woman was taken to a nearby hospital.

The police explicitly state that the path can be used in both directions. The exact cause of the accident is part of the ongoing investigation. The report contains no information regarding measured speed, a technical defect, or definitively established responsibility.

Shared paths still require consideration

eKFV Section 10 lists bicycle lanes and shared pedestrian/cycle paths among the permitted traffic areas for small electric vehicles in urban areas. However, this does not grant permission to ride on just any sidewalk. Specific signage and authorization are decisive.

eKFV Section 11, Paragraph 4 requires consideration for bicycle traffic on cycling paths and, if necessary, an adjustment of speed. On shared pedestrian and cycle paths, pedestrians have priority; they must not be obstructed or endangered. These general rules explain the framework, not the yet-to-be-determined cause of this accident.

Context for everyday life

Our editorial recommendation: Reduce speed early before curves and areas with limited visibility, remain attentive, and leave room for oncoming traffic. The permitted vehicle speed alone says little about whether a specific situation offers sufficient visibility and clearance. Especially on a path with oncoming traffic, one must also account for people not yet visible around a curve.

This recommendation is not a reconstruction of the Hattingen accident. Without a clarified sequence of events, it would be wrong to automatically assume tuning, distraction, or a rule violation as the cause of the collision. Likewise, no general accident trend can be calculated from a single case.

For a broader context, our article E-Scooter Accidents 2025 provides official figures. Future regulations are covered separately in the Rules Check for 2027; they must not be presented as the cause of today's accident.

Sources: Police report dated October 2, 2026, eKFV Sections 10 and 11, accessed October 2, 2026. Image: our own editorial fact graphic, not a photo from the scene of the accident.

Note: This report reflects the preliminary police status. Cause and responsibility are still open. General information does not replace an individual legal assessment.