Collision in Baden: 78-year-old dies after collision with cyclist

Collision in Baden: 78-year-old dies after collision with cyclist

In the last few days, several traffic accidents in Austria have become sad news. A particularly tragic incident occurred on the Kaiser-Franz-Ring in Baden, where a 78-year-old woman from Vienna-Penzing died after a collision with a cyclist. The accident occurred on Tuesday afternoon around 2:50 p.m. when the senior citizen entered the road in the direction of the spa park. According to police investigations, a 48-year-old cyclist collided with the woman, causing both of them to fall to the ground. The woman was first taken to the Baden State Hospital and later to a clinic on Wiener Landstrasse for treatment, but died from her serious injuries on Saturday. Despite the incident, the cyclist escaped with minor injuries.

But that's not the only fatal traffic accident to hit the headlines in recent days. On Friday evening, a 31-year-old Ecuadorian woman was hit by a car in Böheimkirchen. After the collision, the cyclist fell into an adjacent field and died at the scene of the accident. The person who caused the accident fled without providing help or alerting emergency services. This was the third fatal accident involving cyclists on the L 129 this year and police are currently searching for the runaway vehicle, which may have sustained frontal damage. Hit and run resulting in death can be punished with up to five years in prison, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.

An alarming trend

The increasing number of fatal accidents involving cyclists is alarming. In the first quarter of 2025, 14 fatal accidents involving cyclists were registered in Austria, which corresponds to an increase of 30% compared to the previous year. This is consistent with reports finding an overall increase in cyclist deaths in recent years. Older people are particularly affected: almost two thirds (63.5%) of the cyclists who had fatal accidents were 65 years of age or older. These statistics raise concern and give rise to debate about road safety.

In addition, it should be noted that over two thirds of bicycle accidents resulting in personal injury involved other road users, mostly drivers. The question of how road conditions can be improved for cyclists is becoming increasingly pressing. While the total number of traffic deaths in Austria was reduced by 18.3% in 2024, the number of cyclists involved in accidents shows an opposite trend.

Call for cycling safety

In view of this development, it is crucial to raise awareness of road safety among all road users. Be it through clear traffic rules, better infrastructure or simply through more consideration - there is a responsibility here that affects large parts of society. The Baden police have already taken investigative steps to clarify the exact course of the accident in Baden. We appeal to everyone to keep their eyes open and look out for each other, as increased caution is required, especially at this time of year.

The tragic fates of the two women make it clear how important it is to take the safety of all participants in traffic seriously. Stay alert and responsible on the road!