For the past three weeks police in Munich have been stopping and checking cyclists at various cycling hot spots across the city. Places such as Louis Bridge, Geschwister-Scholl-Platz and Lindwurmstraße were targeted due to the high volume of bicycle traffic. The goal was to reduce the number of cyclists violating traffic laws.
In total, 12,500 cyclists were stopped during this period, with an astounding 7539 of them breaking traffic laws.
Police were apparently surprised at the attitude of many cyclists, some of whom failed to realise that they had actually broken the law. Just over 5000 people received a fine. Another 2300 were caught breaking a red light.
A number of cyclists were found to be under the influence of either drugs or alcohol. Four thieves were even caught and charged with the theft of the bicycle they were riding.
The German Bicycle Club (ADFC - Allgemeine Deutsche Fahrrad-Club) welcomed the action but warned about potential harassment of cyclists.
Recently the number of cycling incidents in Munich resulting in injuries, has fallen. In previous years ADFC expressed concern at the number of accidents involving cars which lead to a number of fatalities.