ADAC wants to offer nationwide bicycle breakdown assistance
The ADAC is transferring one of its core competences - rapid assistance in the event of a breakdown - to bicycles and e-bikes. Corresponding pilot projects were already launched in two regions last year. At its Annual General Meeting, the automobile club recently gave the go-ahead for a nationwide ADAC bicycle breakdown service, which will be available free of charge to all of the automobile club's approximately 21 million members from June. The club is focussing in particular on the symbolic power of this measure. ADAC President Christian Reinicke says: "The ADAC is saying yes to the mobility transition and is supporting its members in this endeavour."
ADAC bicycle breakdown assistance to be available without an increase in contributions
The ADAC was able to achieve an annual result of 137 million euros in 2021, as announced at the general meeting. The background to the association's positive balance sheet is falling expenditure due to the pandemic and the efficiency programme launched in 2017. Thanks to the positive annual result, the ADAC was able to offer additional services, such as bicycle breakdown assistance for members, without increasing membership fees.
According to the ADAC, the ADAC service's breakdown assistants were trained and equipped accordingly in advance. The Yellow Angels are deployed to provide breakdown and accident assistance directly on the spot, transport to the nearest suitable workshop and also to recover luggage or cargo.
Source: Velobiz/Jürgen Wetzstein
Interview with Thomas Reynartz, Head of ADAC Roadside Assistance and Road Patrol
"ADAC MEMBERS ARE ALSO CYCLING MORE"
MYBIKE: Do you ride a bike yourself?
Yes, I'm even passionate about it. I've owned an e-bike for around seven years and have since bought a second one. A normal, motorless bike is also part of my two-wheeled fleet. Why are the Yellow Angels suddenly also helping cyclists? The cycling trend in Germany cannot be overlooked. And among the 21 million ADAC members, there are also several million cyclists who will need help at some point.
Are there damages and situations in which ADAC bicycle breakdown assistance does not apply?
The ADAC roadside assistance service is available around the clock if the bicycle has been damaged in an accident or is no longer roadworthy due to a breakdown, i.e. also if the e-bike battery is defective. The ADAC does not help if the bicycle is being used commercially or if the cyclist has damaged his bicycle himself through negligence. In addition, bicycle locks are not opened, as in many cases it is difficult to provide proof of ownership of the bicycle.
Are defective bicycles or e-bikes / pedelecs also "towed away"? If so, how does this work?
Bicycles and e-bikes that are no longer roadworthy are also towed to the nearest suitable garage in an emergency. At present, however, this is not done by traditional road patrol vehicles, but mostly by ADAC towing partner companies, or a large-capacity taxi is ordered.
Cyclists are often out and about on country lanes and forest tracks. How does ADAC bicycle breakdown assistance get there?
The ADAC road patrol vehicles are only allowed to go where the road traffic regulations allow. In an emergency, damaged bicycles or e-bikes must be pushed to the nearest official road.
Will ADAC breakdown services be travelling by bike or cargo bike themselves in the future?
Some ADAC breakdown services are already on the road in various cities, for example with an e-bike and trailer, including Berlin, Cologne, Munich and Hamburg.
How does the automobile club finance the additional costs for the ADAC bicycle breakdown service and the training of breakdown assistants?
At the moment, the bicycle breakdown service is financed from our own resources, i.e. from membership fees.
Will the ADAC bicycle breakdown service be offered in other regions of Germany in the future?
That is definitely planned! But first we want to learn from the pilot project: How often is help needed? Which breakdowns occur? Which spare parts are needed the most?
