Survey
What do you think about mandatory daytime running lights for e-bikes?
- It's sensible rule in general.36%
- This rule should only apply in road traffic.37%
- This rule is pointless.27%
The competition has ended.
From April, daytime running lights on e-bikes will be mandatory – for the sake of safety
2.3.2022
Translation: Eva Francis
The more visible, the safer. Following this logic, e-bikes will be obliged to keep the front light on during the daytime. This rule applies from 1 April 2022. Studies suggest that this measure is effective.
In spring, a new rule is introduced that affects all e-bike owners: whether you ride your city model to the shops or your E-MTB on the trails, from 1 April 2022, you’ll need to have your front light on during the day. This must shine without interruption and be attached permanently – not to your helmet or clothing. In other words, it’s not allowed to flash and must be on the bike. Clip-on lights are allowed. The rules described in the Ordinance on Technical Requirements for Road Vehicles (VTS) still apply: the light (white light directed to the front and red light directed to the rear) must be visible at 100 m at night in good weather and must not dazzle. The light of fast e-bikes up to 45 km/h, which are considered motorcycles, requires type approval. These models are usually equipped accordingly when you buy them. Road-ready e-bikes generally tend to be fully equipped.
This means, chances are you already have what it takes to cycle in compliance with the rules. You just have to remember to always turn on the light in the future. To comply with the law, only your front light needs to be switched on during the day. However, the Federal Roads Office FEDRO recommends to always have your front and rear lights on when you’re on the road. Better safe than sorry. This is easily done, even with battery-powered lights. Somemodels can be paired and turned on together. If you’re caught cycling without your daytime running lights on, you’ll be fined 20 francs. The Federal Council has taken these decisions in view of the growing e-bike numbers and the corresponding increase in accidents.
Potential benefits of the daytime running light
Whether this small change will have a big impact in everyday life remains to be seen. I doubt that e-mountain bikers who are out on lonely trails in bright sunshine will like it. In this case, it's questionable whether having your lights on makes sense. Indeed, the new rule is primarily aimed at road traffic and reducing the risk of collisions. It's likely that the number of accidents involving cyclists is much higher than officially recorded. Fortunately, many crashes are relatively minor. A study from Belgium, for example, surveyed around 1,000 commuting bikers and came to the conclusion that the police were involved in only 7 per cent of all accidents, while 10 per cent were treated in hospital and 30 per cent were insured. After a minor crash, often the only thing to do is to take a deep breath and ride on. What's certain, however, is that cycling is dangerous comparted to other modes of transport. Thus, simple and effective measures that increase safety are, of course, welcome.
When the law was introduced for cars to have their lights on at daytime, the number of accidents involving more than one vehicle decreased. A reduction of 5-10 per cent is often cited. Of course, this effect isn't exclusive to cars. Danish researchers have also proven it for bikes: in their study, 1,845 cyclists with permanent lights reported significantly fewer accidents over the course of a year than 2,000 in the control group who cycled without daytime running lights. The risk of being injured in an accident involving other road users was 47 per cent lower. No matter how you look at the figures, their risk of having an accident with other road users was lower at any time of the day, night or year – especially during daylight hours.
Another way to increase visibility was also investigated: in another setting with 6,800 volunteers, a group wore luminous vests and enjoyed a 38 per cent reduction in the risk of accidents. However, the participants only actually wore the vest on 77 per cent of all journeys, even though they took part in the study voluntarily. Accordingly, the researchers concluded that it's probably difficult to get people to voluntarily wear a luminous vest. Permanent light, on the other hand, is convenient and easy to implement, as there are modern LEDs and e-bikes have a battery anyway.
Michael Restin
Senior Editor
Michael.Restin@digitecgalaxus.chSimple writer and dad of two who likes to be on the move, wading through everyday family life. Juggling several balls, I'll occasionally drop one. It could be a ball, or a remark. Or both.
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