In a wide-ranging interview addressing the decade-long fallout from his catastrophic 2016 training crash, the former Paris-Roubaix winner warned that deteriorating road culture and a lack of mandatory fitness re-evaluations for older motorists continue to endanger vulnerable road users across Europe.
Cycling Safety Realities on European Roads
The Long Shadow of the 2016 Training Crash
Road safety advocacy carries deeply personal weight for Degenkolb.
Recovery from that catastrophic impact required immense resilience. Degenkolb suffered severe forearm and leg injuries, fighting his way back to the WorldTour peloton through rigorous rehabilitation. That experience cemented his vocal stance on traffic accountability, turning the Classics specialist into one of the sport’s most prominent safety advocates.
Calls for Mandatory Fitness Checks for Older Drivers
Beyond driver aggression and road design, Degenkolb addressed a contentious demographic debate: the lack of mandatory traffic fitness testing for aging motorists. Expressing deep concern, the German cyclist questioned why driving privileges remain largely unchecked as drivers grow older, contrasting automotive licensing with the stringent medical and physical clearances required in elite sports.
Next Steps in the Cycling Safety Debate
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