...like a woman needs a fish.

dave

The sidewalk is a very dangerous place to ride. Cars are far more likely to hit you if you are riding on the sidewalk than if you are on the road because drivers do not look for anything on the sidewalk traveling at a greater speed than a pedestrian.

You might feel safer by riding on the sidewalk because you are then farther away from the cars. However, the safest place to be is somewhere that the cars will see you, and that is on right-hand side of the road, a safe distance from the curb. If you're worried about the cars coming up from behind you, then get a rear-view mirror so you can keep an eye on them.

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Cycling in Switzerland | Photo blog (mostly travel pics from Switzerland)

to compound Chris' message - cyclists on pavements who think pedestrian crossings are for them to use on a busy road when travelling quickly often soil their shorts

Well apart from the Velo vignette (I'll be purchasing one later, I had no idea about this), I comply

Are the hand signals the same as in the UK, or am I just bewildering the Swiss drivers?

As we drive (or ride) on the opposite side to the UK, the hand signals are reversed. So to turn right, use you left hand, but put it across your face in the direct you want to go (ie. right). Do not cover your eyes with your arm.

To turn right, use your left hand in the opposite manner.

Swiss drivers are used to cyclists riding down one-way streets the wrong way, thinking they have priority on pedestrian crossings, riding in total darkness without any form of light or reflectors, being aggressive as they seem to hate car drivers - so I doubt you'll be able to confuse them...

You stretch the arm in the direction of your turn - Many aren't doing it but I think it's advantageous to do it, and the car drivers mostly know what it means.

This guy was glad he was wearing a helmet....

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/05/15/man....ap/index.html

There are two essential handsignals every cyclist should learn, to express admiration for the respect shown to them by car-drivers.

1) Using either hand, clench a fist and raise the middle-finger.
2) Imitating holding the handlebar, raise one hand and pitch it forth and back, smiling. Especially at roundabouts, where most of them are sadly ignorant of who has right of way.

Often the dear SUV driver is applying his make-up or picking her nose, and doesn't notice your term of road-sharing solidarity. But it's the thought that counts.

There is quite a lot of between-country variation in the right-turn signal (equivalent of the left-turn in the UK). In Canada, officially you should extend your left arm out to the side and bend it at the elbow so that your hand points straight up.

I had no idea what the rider was implying when I first saw this Canadian technique, and I think that many drivers don't know what any of these signals mean (arm bent with hand straight up, hand across face, etc.). I therefore use the universally understood method of sticking my right arm straight out to turn right, left arm straight out to turn left (after checking that my arm isn't going to get knocked off by a passing truck).

The reason that this easily understood method isn't official in some countries is because it is possible that a driver cannot see your right arm because it is blocked by your body. Therefore, if the driver that I believe needs to see my signal is behind me, then I make the signal with my right arm slightly behind me, and if he is in front then I put my arm slightly to the front. I think this is much more informative and safe than using an oddly bent left arm that not all drivers understand.

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Cycling in Switzerland | Photo blog (mostly travel pics from Switzerland)

That well known bicycle signal, as popularised by ET.

dave

Zuerich city cyclists have to be some of the worst I've ever seen. They break red lights, use pedestrian crossings as shortcuts and generally show total disregard for pedestrian and driver alike.

For a nation that is normally so law-abiding, it's quite a shock to see the utter disregard for the law and safety that is common amongst those on bicycles in the city.

Whereas drivers who consistently exceed the speed limit are of course not really breaking the law, correct?

I don't recall saying anything about drivers in my post.... what relevance does their driving have on my observations on Zuerich cyclists?

Two sides of the same coin. As mentioned on other threads, there're bad apples everywhere. Perhaps there are so many bad cyclists because so many people cycle? Everyday I encounter a near-death experience because of inattentive drivers 'owning' the road Anyhoo, play it safe, folks...

Ok, I can't make head nor tail of the Velo Vignette I bought from Migros.

It comes in a booklet from Generali. There's a sticker inside consiting of 2 parts, an orange bit, and a smaller Numbered sticker.

Looking at the pictures and reading the little german I understand, It looks like I'm supposed to text the number on the sticker and be charged an extra 1.50, is this optional or compulsory?

There are also payment slips, is this just another way to pay the 1.50?

What is the 1.50 for?

Do I have to register this velo vignette somewhere, or is the mere fact that I have stuck it on the bike enough?

Thanks..

The large sticker is for your records. Should anything happen, this is proof of the insurance you bought. The small numbered sticker with '07 is to go on your bike frame somewhere, so you can show the lovely village policeman you're complying with the rules. The second small sticker is optional: you can put your telephone or contact details on to help find you if your bike is found somewhere (also to tell you off if you've parked illegally or left lying around for a week. If it's considered abandoned it can be removed).

The CHF 1.50 is for an optional upgrade in your insurance. That's up to you. It's a small amount, but I don't bother. It's upselling.

The 1.50 Fr. SMS is for BikeRefinder®, a notification service in case somebody finds... yeah you got it. This is not a service of Generali though. Their upselling is the Velo Combi offer one page later that is a combination of bicycle damage insurance, legal protection and life insurance.

BikeRefinder is not really needed if you put a sticker with your address on the bike and write down the frame number. Few years ago, the police of Zürich found my bicycle the day after I've reported it stolen! Lucky me... (I locked it to a barrier but the thief succeeded to open it, from this day on I always secure my bicycle through the spokes and not only the frame).

About the 2nd vignette, it's so usefull ! I lost my bike and police found it one year later at Aigle (I lost it at Lausanne !)

And don't think it's a rare case. Normally, people who steal bikes, are just escaping or need something to go back home, they always let the bike somewhere, well then it's easy to find them.

Bye and have fun with your back

p.s. www.anibis.ch here's a good website where you can find second hand stuff (included bikes) not so expensive !

Seem to be having a senior, blonde moment...!! I have tried looking for a bike bell in my local Hobby Coop but can't find one. In High German bell is 'glocke'. All I seem to find is the travel ometer things!!

Any ideas anyone please, sorry to be so daft!

If the coop don't have them, then try Athleticum or Migros Soprt XX. They should all have them in stock. They sell some at SportXX that have a compass built into the top of them