I am new here to CH and I just received my license. I want to know what the laws are for Motorcycles. I watch everyone else. Sometimes people go thru the middle of traffic and sometimes they dont. Is this legal? Where can I get a list of laws for Motorcycles?

Hi, it is illegal to ride through and between lines of traffic in Switzerland... as with anywhere else you takes your chances .. but remember it it very heavy fines here if you get caught. Ask you local driving school or go to a good book store for a book of rules and regs.

keep it rubber side down ..

Motocyclists are supposed to follow the same rules as cars. You can get a "Code de la route" in bookshops and local "Service de la navigation" or Driving schools.

I second you on that!

Also...just remember...even if you're able to do things cars can't, 'cause you're quicker...DON'T...or take a risk make sure you're ready for the consequences...which in CH are pretty intense...

Also...bear in mind that a lot of speed traps in CH take pics of front and rearjust as a reminder...

If you ever come near Basel, let me know and we'll go for a ride!

Cheers
Will

Props for asking before you have to create a complaint:

Swiss Drivers attitudes to motorbikes WTF!

Essentially you follow the same rules like a car.

So filtering (lane-splitting) is not legal in CH?

You mean several motorbikes driving in parallel? That's not allowed.

It appears to be tolerated if the traffic is stationary (was waved through by traffic cop stuck in huge jam - might just have been my lucky day).

If traffic isn't stationary then it's illegal - undertaking.

Unless you are on a scooter of course - apparently the rules do not apply to them . Or cyclists for that matter.

And keep off chevrons - they are there for a reason. Watch this if you want to know what that reason is - warning, not for the faint hearted.

You mean weaving in and out of traffic to try to get ahead of the cars? No, not legal.

Usually means slowly moving down the gap between two stationary lines of traffic.

Most I see do the weaving bit too (such as in three lanes of stuck traffic). Regardless, it is dangerous and illegal.

Yes, this.

Filtering is not dangerous IF the lanes are not moving. At least, no more dangerous than passing a line of parked cars.

Remember that the Zurich (GE)STAPO loves harassing motorcycle drivers because they are unable to deal with or catch real criminals. So on 2 wheels, you will be an easy target.

Other offenders on 2 or 4 wheels are easily let off the hook, but for some reason the biker gets the shaft.

Paid 100 Swissies to the Zurich (GE)STAPO for a ridiculous offense.

Come on tc, we MUST know......

What are the details?

(GE)STAPO created an artificial traffic jam on Hottingerstrasse approaching Kunsthaus during the morning rush hour. Drivers of various 2-wheel vehicles passed the standing traffic on the left and were promptly pulled out by roughly 20 members of Zurich's finest that were patiently waiting in a side street. Fines were issued on the spot. And the friendly police officer even asked me how I liked living in Switzerland. How nice.

The same happened to me but on the highway where two lanes were forced into 1 - and the fine was way higher @ 600 chuffs. The cops took great delight in jumping, literally, out in front of bikes - cars going down the outside lane and nipping in were ignored.

Anyway, the beak took into account that I was a bally foreigner (bike was on UK plates at the time) and I got off with half price. For me, the offence was clear though, as I crossed a solid white line to get back into the traffic (although the car in front that did the same was ignored).

In your case, what was the offence exactly? Passing stationary vehicles?

__________________
Swissbob

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I was there too but I spotted the police just in time I braked immediately and joined normal traffic. No fine !

You want to say, that the traffic jam was made specially for catching drivers like you? It seems to violate "freedom of movement" , as drivers in cars were wasting petrol and wasting time. Quite meanly ...