This being the country where what's not forbidden is mandatory I'd like to check one question. I've started cycling again with my kids to work/school. Previously both kids were in the bike trailer with me puffing and sweating my way into Zürich, now my daughter is 7 and wants to ride her own bike which she's done now a coupl eof times this week. A work colleague today mentioned that children have to have a police test before they are allowed to ride on the roads - is this true? (I wouldn't be surprised if ti is and if it's yes, I might well add it to the list of "Rules I chose to ignore") Most of the journey from home to school is a completely seperate bike path through the woods along the Sihl (Adliswil to Waffenplatz) and we hardly go on the roads at all.

Thanks for any pointers :-)

There is somekind of Veloprüfung kids do in school, but you can ride your bike even if you fail it.. so I don't think its a requirement. What is required is the yearly Velomarke that is also a liability insurance.

That's what i thought but I just wanted to check, Velomarke are already stuck on teh bikes :-)

Thank goodness no test is required for children. Ours would probably fail. This post has got me thinking though and I intend to go to check with the police in Zug tomorrow.

The "Test" we took in school was not a way to get the Bicycle permit (if there is one, I don't have it...). BUT - it's all about the road rules and what one has to pay attention too, so it goes more under security training than test.
We went for that to Bülach, IIRC, where they have a permanent setup of streets, crossings, roundabouts and the like (all sized down for children of course) - a bit like a go karting track really....

So, no - your kids won't need a permit, but definitely some guided tours so they can feel/are confident when hitting the road on their own.

Cheers

Children are allowed to cycle on the streets once they reach school-age.

We did the cycling test in the 4th class as far as I know. They also test the bicycle: brakes, light etc.

One should not forget the most important test of all: the breath test.

They have a breath test for having too much sugar and artificial colouring now? What exactly is the legal limit for how much red cordial a kid can drink and still ride a bike?

The days of lollipops, spangles and space dust are over Mr. Woodsie. Children nowadays go directly for beer and marijuana. Most teenagers have experienced alcohol, tobacco and unprotected sex well before their first wisdom tooth has appeared. Those who have not managed to wheedle (or threaten) their parents into buying scooters for them have to settle for the motorless and hence "uncool" two-wheelers. Their frustration makes them even more prone to yield to the temptation of DUI or RUI.