Munich police arrest taxi driver after cyclist seriously injured near Karlsplatz

Investigators say the two men first became involved in an argument at the junction. The cyclist dismounted from his bicycle and approached the taxi parked behind him to confront the driver, before intending to ride away again. "Der Radler sei zunächst abgestiegen und wollte demnach nach dem Streit mit dem Fahrrad weiterfahren," the Merkur reported, citing police.

According to the police account relayed by the Merkur, the taxi driver braked as the cyclist fell back toward the road. "Dann habe der Taxifahrer gebremst und der Radler sei auf die Fahrbahn gefallen," the report states. "In diesem Moment habe der Taxifahrer ihn mit seinem Fahrzeug erfasst."

Bystanders intervene at the scene

When the cyclist was about to remount his bicycle, the taxi driver accelerated, striking him and carrying him several metres on the bonnet of the vehicle, police said. "Als er wieder auf sein Rad steigen wollte, habe der 46 Jahre alte Taxifahrer beschleunigt, den Radler erfasst und mehrere Meter auf der Motorhaube mitgeschleift," the Merkur reported. The cyclist reportedly "prallte der Mann auf die Motorhaube und wurde dabei schwer verletzt."

Several passersby witnessed the altercation and intervened to hold the taxi driver at the scene once he stepped out of his vehicle. "Mehrere Passanten hätten den Vorfall mitbekommen und den Taxifahrer festgehalten, bis die ersten Polizisten am Ort des Geschehens waren," according to the newspaper account. A police spokesperson confirmed to dpa that the injured person was transported to a hospital for treatment.

The taxi driver, identified by police as 46 years old, was provisionally arrested at the scene and is being investigated on suspicion of intentionally ramming the cyclist following the dispute. Authorities have not yet released details of any charges or preliminary findings from forensic examination of the vehicle.

Investigation continues

Police officials are continuing to investigate the case, reviewing witness statements and any available video footage from the busy central-Munich intersection. The Merkur report cites a police spokesperson who confirmed that the force is treating the collision as a deliberate act rather than a routine traffic accident, pending the results of the inquiry. Officials have appealed for any further witnesses to come forward.

The incident has drawn attention because of its location in the heart of the city and the allegation that a professional driver used his vehicle to strike a vulnerable road user. Cycling advocacy groups in Munich have long called for stronger protection of cycle lanes in central areas, including around Karlsplatz, where pedestrians, cyclists and taxis regularly share congested space.

Police have not yet released the identities of those involved beyond their ages. The 37-year-old cyclist remains in hospital receiving treatment for his serious injuries, while the taxi driver is in custody while investigators continue their work. Further updates are expected once the police probe is more advanced.

dpa confirmed the basic outline of events via a credit line on the report, and both the Münchner Merkur and tz carried initial accounts based on the police spokesperson's statements. Officials asked members of the public who saw the dispute or its aftermath to contact the Munich police as the investigation continues.