Police and town of Beckum urge caution

Attention ghost cyclists

Observant passers-by will have already seen them: ghost cyclist symbols sprayed on cycle paths with the message "Change sides!".

11 October 2023 by Max Ruhmann
Ghost cyclist 2023 campaign
  • From left: Police Chief Superintendents Katharina Sikora and Alexandra de Groot, Elmar Liekenbröcker Liekenbröcker (Head of the Department of Law, Security and Order of the City of Beckum), Thomas Wulf (permanent deputy to the Mayor) and Police Chief Superintendent Stefan Wellmann

The district police have sprayed this friendly but very clear sign at several relevant locations to draw the attention of cyclists or e-scooters using paths in the wrong direction to their mistake. Thomas Wulf (permanent deputy mayor) and Elmar Liekenbröcker (Head of the Law, Safety and Order Department) from the town of Beckum accompanied the campaign. "It's not safe for cyclists to ride on the left-hand side. Ghost cyclists are easily overlooked and cause injuries in road accidents," says Elmar Liekenbröcker.

Of course, cyclists also have to drive on the right. The freshly sprayed symbol by police chief inspectors Katharina Sikora and Alexandra de Groot and police superintendent Stefan Wellmann now makes it unmistakably clear that you are travelling in the wrong lane if you drive on the left. The police will be accompanying the campaign with prevention work over the next few days. And, of course, offenders will be fined.

The warning symbols were sprayed with ephemeral paint at the following locations: Paterweg/Dalmerweg (from Albertus-Magnus-Gymnasium towards Mühlenweg), Dalmerweg (towards Hansaring on the left), Westwall/Am Hirschgraben (towards Paterweg), Hammer Straße (Westpark towards Mühlenweg) and Osttorknoten (towards Lippborger Straße).

Similar campaigns in recent years have been very successful. Now road users are to be reminded once again to use cycle paths and to drive on the right.