Electric-assist bicycles (pedelecs) are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. According to the German two-wheeler industry association Zweirad-Industrie-Verband (ZIV), around 200,000 were sold in 2010, and the association expects 300,000 to be sold in 2011. The percentage of sales accounted for high-speed pedelecs is now in the upper single-digit range. The market for retrofit kits is also growing, according to the ZIV. [more]

According to European Directive 2008/89/EC, from 7 February 2011 new vehicle models can only be registered if they are equipped with daytime running lights (ECE-R 48 and 87). For this reason the UDV (German Insurers Accident Research) in Berlin undertook a two-year project with the Chair of Lighting Technology of the Technische Universität Berlin and the research institute Human-Factors-Consult to examine the effects of driving with daytime running lights on road safety. [more]

Tractors are relatively rare on German roads. Consequently, they do not figure largely in accident statistics. But when they are involved in accidents, more people than average are seriously injured or killed. For this reason, the UDV joined forces with the insurance companies Allianz and LVM to investigate where accidents involving tractors happen, the kind of accidents they are and the circumstances under which they occur. To this end, a database of 1010 accidents that occurred from 2006 to 2008 throughout Germany was set up and analyzed. [more]