Hello,

I'm looking for info on the road rules for cyclists in Switzerland, because I dont want to get knocked off my bike! From searching this forum I've found a few references to a book called Handbook of Swiss Traffic Regulations, which is apparantly available in English from some bookshops or cantonal traffic offices (http://www.englishforum.ch/sports-fi...itzerland.html).

I've looked everywhere (in Zurich) and I cant get hold of it. Does anyone know if it's still in print?

Thanks

Looks as if you can still get it.
Handbook of Swiss Traffic Regulations. Not sure though.

Thanks for that. The publication date on there is 15 years ago, so I guess it may well be out of print now (surely the regulations are updated more often than this).

Cheers.

That's what I thought too. I wouldn't have thought they would actually sell an out-of-date book of Rules though. Sometimes regulations are updated but part of the information on the internet isn't, so you might just be lucky. I'd be quite interested to know how you get on...

I dont mind reading a slightly out of date book, if I can find it that is!

I will update the thread if I do ever find a copy, but I am not optimistic.

Cheers.

There used to be a blue book with the full road code that was given out to people studying for their license. You should drop by a driving school and ask if they have it.

Otherwise, the code is available in all national languages here:

http://www.admin.ch/dokumentation/ge...x.html?lang=de

Not quite the same thing, but there is a fun cartoon test of the Swiss road rules at http://www.cooldriving.ch/en/home.htm#

Everywhere but the local traffic authority (Strassenverkehrsamt) I bet

This is the official Swiss government site focused on cycling in Switzerland. Have a look:
http://www.ch.ch/private/00081/00084...x.html?lang=en

Hello everyone,

I was unable to find here an answer for my question. Where can I buy an English version of Swiss Traffic Regulations book? I remember, there were an article which states that I can buy in some special place, but I don't remember where exactly.

Thanks for any information !

Thanks again! (And yes I did try at the Strassenverkehrsamt!).

In the absence of regulations that I can understand, perhaps I can elaborate on the point which is confusing me most? If anyone has an idea of what the Swiss usually do in this situation I would be grateful.

Being used to riding in the UK, I typically ride with a position about 1 metre away from the curb where there are parked cars (to avoid getting hit by an opening door) and much closer to the curb where there are no cars. I also try to anticipate movements- if I see a parked car ahead or roadworks for example that I need to avoid, I move into the main stream of traffic quite early so that I dont need to make any sudden movements, which could be dangerous. I cycle fast so this does not obstruct the traffic.

In the UK, this is totally legal- you are actually encouraged to take your proper position in the road. But I have a Swiss friend who I've cycled with who says that here that is not legal. Their cycling style is to hug the curb until they are right up at the obstruction, then to stop and wait for a gap in the traffic, since they say slowing the flow of traffic is not allowed. I have noticed that when I pull out a few metres back from an obstruction I get loudly honked by the cars.

What does the law say about this situation?

Also, there is a cycle lane near my house that is directly next to a row of parked cars for about 50 metres. I dont use it where it is next to the cars- for the door opening reason, and ride in the car lane instead. What does the law say about this?

Cheers and sorry if the post is a bit long.

I asked a similar question here:

Handbook of Swiss Traffic Regulations

although I still havent been able to find what I was looking for.

It's easy to find books for learner drivers with reccomendations, but not the actual regulations book as far as I can tell.

Thanks for reply.

Well, actually, there should be exactly an English version of a set of documents, like this: http://www.admin.ch/ch/f/rs/741_41/a71.html

Apparently there is no recent publication about Swiss traffic law in English.

Cyclists have to drive on the right except in roundabouts. How far to the right I don't know, I drive as far to the right as I consider it reasonable and safe.

If a cyclist leaves the bike lane to avoid danger, obstacles or simply because the lane ends, he does not have the right of way. This, combined with not signaling the lane change, is probably the reason why you get honked.

By law, you have to use the cycle lane.


Should as in "it would be nice to have", English is not a national language...

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I am not claiming to demand it. My "should be" relates to the fact, that I heard in past about official English translations for Swiss Trafic Regulations.

I walked into the bookstore in Zug at Metalli shopping centre to ask for an English text on driving rules for Switzerland. It is called "Driving Today" - Traffic regulations for drivers of Motor Vehicles. By Alfred Trachsler, Berne
Publisher Ah Verlag GmbH, Schanzernstr. 1 3008 Berne
Printed by Stampfli Publications SA Berne Costs about 27 Swiss Francs
Hope this helps.

Yep, found that one. Problem is, it's great for drivers, not so great for cyclists. It's not really a list of regualtions, more driving tips built around them.

Thanks also to volodymyr for saying there should be an English set of documents at www.admin.ch. The documents there are available in the Swiss national languages and some of them are translated into English- sadly not the traffic laws. As to whether they "should" be translated into English- well I'm not sure I agree with that. I would like a translation but don't expect it.

Well, I am not demanding that as well, sorry for confusing. I meant that I heard about official translation so I expected it to be on admin.ch Thats why I used the word "should".

Ah yes, sorry.

By the look of your profile picture you won't be obeying the rules of the road anyway!

Picture was taken in Kiev, you can look at full variant here: http://satyr.kiev.ua/i/2007-08-19/full/foto_0409.JPG (where you can see that the plates are not Swiss one).

Different country. Different rules.