NEW LAW FOR E-BIKES IN SWITZERLAND: DAYTIME LIGHTS MANDATORY FROM APRIL 2022
From 1st of April 2022, all e-bikes in Switzerland must have their lights switched on when being ridden during the day. This is the result of a legislative change aimed at increasing the visibility and thus also the safety of e-bike riders. This blog post explains everything you need to know about the upcoming compulsory lighting on e-bikes in Switzerland (Status march 2022).
DAYTIME LIGHT FOR ALL E-BIKES IN SWITZERLAND
Let there be light – even during the day. This could be the title of the latest amendment to the Road Traffic Act. In December 2021, the Federal Council adopted new guidelines for e-bikes. The result: in accordance with the ordinance of the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO), all e-bikes must be equipped with a daytime light from 1st of April. This means that dusk will no longer be sufficient as a guideline for switching on lights; they will become mandatory at all times of the day and in all lighting conditions.
The change in legislation applies to both fast e-bikes and s-pedelecs with pedal assist up to 45 km/h as well as classic e-bikes or pedelecs with pedal assist up to 25 km/h. The aim of the measure is to increase safety and visibility in road traffic and thus prevent accidents.
THE NEW LEGISLATION ALSO APPLIES FOR MOUNTAIN E-BIKES, RACING E-BIKES AND GRAVEL E-BIKES
E-bikes are thus following the example of cars: since 2014, cars in Switzerland have also had to drive with their lights on during the day. The lighting requirement applies to all public traffic areas, paths and roads. This means that you also have to switch on the daytime lights on e-bikes on country tracks or bike trails. If you do not switch on your daytime lights after 1st of April 2022, you could face a fine of 20 Swiss francs.
Piquant: sporty e-bikes – mountain e-bikes, racing e-bikes and gravel e-bikes – with pedal assist up to 25 km/h are also affected by the changes. Up to now, these bicycles have mostly been supplied by the manufacturers without lights. However, their conversion is made easier by the fact that daytime lights do not require type approval. This means that battery lights that can be mounted or removed are also accepted under the law. The daytime light must also be visible at a distance of 100 meters. What’s more, it may not dazzle other road users.
ADDITIONAL SPEEDOMETER REQUIREMENT FOR E-BIKES
The requirements for daytime lights are not the only changes that will apply to e-bike riders from 1st of April onwards: in future, all fast e-bikes with pedal assist up to 45 km/h must be equipped with a speedometer. This should help riders keep to maximum speeds – especially in 20 and 30 km/h zones. If you already have a fast pedelec, you will have to upgrade your bike with a speedometer by 1st of April 2022. Anyone caught without a speedometer after this date will be fined 20 francs.
MANDATORY LIGHTS ON E-BIKES IN SWITZERLAND: SUMMARY
- From 1st of April 2022, all e-bikes in Switzerland must have their lights switched on when being ridden during the day.
- The lighting requirement applies to all public traffic areas. The lighting requirement normally applies on dirt tracks and bike trails too.
- If you are caught on an e-bike without a daytime light, you are liable to a fine of 20 Swiss francs.
- Attachable or removable battery lights are also accepted.
- The legislation does not specify an exact luminous intensity.
- The daytime light must be visible at a distance of 100 meters. What’s more, it may not dazzle other road users.
Find out more about e-bike lights in our previous blog post:
23.03.2022