Regulations

Signs and markings

Groups of signs

The signs are distinguished by shapes:

Warning signs are triangular

L_14_02_gefahrensignale.png

Regulatory signs – prohibitions are round and red

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Regulatory signs – mandatory instructions are round and blue

L_14_04_vorschriftssignale.png

Information signs are rectangular

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Priority signs have different shapes

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Examples of warning signs

Warning signs alert me to dangers that I might not see or see too late.

Road works

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I cycle carefully because of hazards such as workers, bumps, or open manholes on the road.

Tramway

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The tramway sign warns of rail vehicles on roads, namely of crossings with rail vehicles. Warning: Danger of falling on the rails!

Children

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I have to expect children on the road here.

Other dangers

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I cycle carefully because I have to expect dangers on the road.

Examples of regulatory signs – prohibitions

With these signs, something is always prohibited. I am not allowed to do something.

No vehicles in both directions

L_16_01_allgemeines-fahrverbot.png

No vehicles are allowed on this road (except scooters, skateboards, roller skates). I have to push my bike.

No entry

L_16_02_einfahrt-verboten.png

I am not allowed to enter this road. If I want to use this road, I have to get off and walk.

No entry with additional "Except cycles" sign

L_16_03_einfahrt-verboten-zusatz_alle.png

I am allowed to carry on riding my bike here.

Cycles prohibited

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I am not allowed to carry on riding my bike here.

Examples of regulatory signs – mandatory instructions

With these signs, I always have todo something.

Mini-roundabout

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Vehicles on the roundabout have priority here. On the roundabout, I always cycle in the direction of the arrows.

Cycle path

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At this sign I have to get off the road and use the cycle path.

End of the cycle path

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The cycle path ends here. Caution: I do not have priority when merging into the road.

Shared cycle path and footpath

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This path is intended for pedestrians and cyclists. I have to show consideration to pedestrians here.

Ahead only

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I must cycle straight ahead here and not turn left or right.

Examples of information signs

Information signs provide me with information.

Tunnel

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When I cycle my bike through a tunnel, I turn on the front and rear lights. So I will be seen in good time by other road users.

One-way street

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There should be no vehicles coming my way on this street. I may turn left or right.

One-way street with oncoming cyclists

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Cyclists may be coming towards me from the opposite direction here.

Parking allowed

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This sign indicates a parking area (parking space) to me.

Motorway and dual-carriage way

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I am not allowed to carry on riding my bike here.

Examples of priority signs

Priority signs regulate who has the right of way (priority).

Stop

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I always have to come to a complete stop at the white line. All vehicles coming from the left and right have priority.

Give way

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All vehicles coming from the left and right have priority. When a vehicle approaches, I have to stop and wait until the road is clear.

Crossroads ahead, side roads to the left and right

272px-CH-Vortrittssignal-Verzweigung_mit_Strasse_ohne_Vortritt.svg.png

Vehicles coming from the left and right do not have priority. I still look out for other vehicles though.

Priority road

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I have priority on the main road. I still look out for other vehicles though.

End of priority road

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After the end of priority road sign, priority to the right applies.

Markings

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1. Give way line (shark teeth)
Means the same as the "Give way" sign. I give way to vehicles on the main road.

2. Cycle lane

I always use any cycle lanes with my bike.
3. Safety line
I am never allowed to cycle over this line.

L_20_02_markierungen.png

4. Pedestrian crossing

Pedestrians have priority at the pedestrian crossing. I stop my bike when someone wants to cross the road on foot.

L_20_03_markierungen.png

5. Stop line

I always have to come to a complete stop with my bike and put my foot on the ground. Vehicles on the main road have priority.

6. Lane marking

This marking separates the road into lanes and may be crossed except if a sign prohibits this.

7. Cycle path

If there is a cycle path, I must use it.

Longitudinal stripes for pedestrians

The yellow longitudinal stripe is intended for pedestrians, children up to 12 years and non-powered personal transportation devices.

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Widened cycle lane

The widened cycle lane allows several cyclists to wait in front of cars to continue their journey.

As a result, I am seen better by the other vehicle drivers (no blind spot)

L_20_03_radstreifen.png

Pavement

The pavement is intended for pedestrians and non-powered personal transportation devices. Children up to 12 years of age are allowed to use footpaths and pavements on bikes if there is no cycle path or cycle lane.

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Priority

Priority in general

There are priority regulations at junctions. A junction can be a crossroads, T-junction or a fork.

L_22.png
  1. Crossroads
  2. T-junction
  3. Fork

In road traffic, we know about four different types of priority regulations at junctions.

  1. If a person is directing the traffic, I have to follow their instructions.
  2. The traffic lights apply if a person is not directing the traffic.
  3. If traffic lights or a person is not directing the traffic, the signs apply.
  4. The basic regulations apply if there is no sign, traffic lights or person directing the traffic.

L_28_03_vortrittsregelung.png

Priority without signs

The basic regulations apply if there is no sign, traffic lights or person directing the traffic at a junction.

1. Priority to the right applies at a junction without signs.

2. Priority to the right applies at this marking.

3. Oncoming traffic has priority if I am turning left.

4. When I pull out of a garage, car park or forecourt into traffic, I give way to everyone else.

5. If I cross a pavement onto the next road, I give way to everyone else.

6. Oncoming traffic has priority here.

7. When turning left, I have to give way to oncoming traffic and vehicles from the right.

Priority with signs

Priority signs direct the traffic here. Priority signs show me that I must give way to other vehicles or that I have priority.

1. I must always stop at the stop sign. The vehicles coming from the left and right have priority.

2. At the give way sign I must always give way to vehicles from the left and right.

3. I have priority after the priority road sign.

4. After the end of priority road sign, priority to the right applies.

5. The vehicles on the roundabout have priority.

6. Pedestrians have priority at the pedestrian crossing.

Additional regulations

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I give way to any rail vehicles.

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I give way to public transport (trams, buses) that wants to leave the stop in built-up areas.

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I give way to people getting on and off the tram at a tram stop without a safety island.

Traffic lights/light signals

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Red: I stop.

Red/Amber: I get ready to carry on.

Green: I cycle, watch for oncoming traffic as well as pedestrians when turning. They have priority.

Amber after green: I stop.

Red with "Right turn for cyclists" sign: I am allowed to turn right when it's red. Warning: Vehicles coming from the side have priority.

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I cycle in the direction indicated by the arrows. If an amber light is flashing at the same time as a green arrow, I give way to pedestrians on the pedestrian crossing when turning right.

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I pay attention to the traffic lights with bike symbols.

Police

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I obey signs given by the police and other traffic wardens (for example, school crossing patrols). I pay attention to the traffic lights when the police or other wardens are not directing the traffic. If there aren't any, the signs and markings apply to me. If these are also missing, I give way to vehicles from the right.

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I give way to emergency police, fire department and ambulance vehicles when they are on the road with flashing blue lights and sirens.

Getting into lane and turning

It is important that I know how to behave correctly in traffic. I should be able to handle the following situations particularly well:

Merging/turning right

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Hand signal indicating right, give way, merge.

Merging left

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Look back, hand signal indicating left, get into lane, give way, merge.

Turning left

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Look back, hand signal indicating left, get into lane, give way, turn.

Look back, hand signal indicating left, get into lane, give way, turn without cutting the corner

Changing lanes

Look back, hand signal indicating left, change lane, give way, turn. The white arrows inside the lane show me in which direction(s) I am allowed to cycle.

First exit on roundabout

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Hand signal indicating right, give way, enter the roundabout, exit the roundabout.

Second and third exit on roundabout

Look back, arm signal indicating left and move into the middle of the lane, give way, enter the middle of the lane on the roundabout, arm signal indicating right, exit the roundabout.

Cutting corners

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Choosing the red line is dangerous and therefore prohibited. This is called "cutting corners".