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LIVING IN SWITZERLAND

Reader question: What are the rules for e-bikes in Switzerland?

Electronic bikes, known as e-bikes, are growing in popularity. From speed limits to rules about lights, here’s what you need to know.

Published: 11 April 2022 12:08 CEST
What are the rules for e-bikes in Switzerland? Here's what you need to know. Image: Pixabay
What are the rules for e-bikes in Switzerland? Here's what you need to know. Image: Pixabay

Electric bike technology has improved dramatically in recent years, with e-bikes now a popular way to get around in both urban and regional areas. 

Filling the void between bicycles and motorbikes, e-bikes are a cheap and relatively quick way to get around, while you can also get fit (kind of). 

The regulatory framework however is a little complex, with new rules having come into effect in recent years as lawmakers have sought to catch up with an explosion in the bikes’ popularity. 

The following are some of the main rules for using e-bikes, along with a brief explanation of what is and what isn’t an e-bike. 

What is an e-bike? 

Electric bikes, aka e-bikes, have a small motor which kicks in to help you pedal. 

As described by Bicycling.com, “when you push the pedals on a pedal-assist e-bike, a small motor engages and gives you a boost, so you can zip up hills and cruise over tough terrain without gassing yourself.”

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The Swiss government divides e-bikes into two categories: “slow (assisted pedalling up to 25km/h) and fast (assisted pedalling up to 45km/h).”

The rules for slow e-bikes are largely similar to those for regular bikes, although there are some differences, whereas there are special rules for faster e-bikes. 

How do I know if I have a fast or a slow e-bike? 

The Swiss Automobile Association lays out the specifics of different types of electric bikes so that you can discern which is which. 

Slow e-bikes are defined as “** Electric light motorised bicycle with a power output of up to max. 500 watts, pedal assistance up to max. 25 km/h, design-related maximum speed of up to max. 20 km/h: from the age of 14 category M, from the age of 16 no ID required . 

Fast e-bikes are defined as “** Electric motorised bicycles (with moped number) with a maximum output of 1000 watts, pedal assistance up to a maximum of 45 km/h, design-related top speed of up to a maximum of 30 km/h: Category M required from the age of 14.”

Do you need a licence to ride an e-bike? 

Slow e-bikes can be ridden without a licence. 

For fast e-bikes, you need a category M licence. 

READ MORE: The downsides of Geneva you should be aware of before moving there

A category M licence – M for motorbike – is available to everyone aged 14 and over. 

This requires just a theory test – no practical test is required. 

More information about an M licence is available here. 

Do I need to register the bike? 

Fast e-bikes need a number plate and a vignette, but slow e-bikes do not. 

This will generally be done when you buy or rent the bike, but if not you will need to visit the roads and motor authority in your canton. 

EXPLAINED: What you need to know about Switzerland’s vignettes 

Minimum age

People need to be aged 14 and over to ride e-bikes in Switzerland, although those aged 14 and 15 must have at least a category M drivers licence. 

This applies to both fast and slow e-bikes. 

People aged 16 and over are permitted to ride a slow e-bike without any licence in Switzerland. 

Do I need a helmet? 

Like for bicycles, helmets are not required for slow e-bikes but they are recommended. 

Helmets are compulsory for fast e-bikes. 

Where can you ride an e-bike? 

E-bikes are required to use cycle lanes in Switzerland. 

You are allowed to use a slow e-bike on a road which prohibits motorised bicycles (marked with a ‘no motorised bicycles’ sign). 

What about speed limits? 

You will need to comply with the speed limits on the cycle paths you ride on. 

Generally, this will be either 20km/h or 30km/hr. You need to adhere to the limit regardless of which e-bike you ride. 

At present, it may be difficult to determine your speed as e-bikes do not need to be fitted with a speedometer (although many do have one). 

Speedometers become compulsory for e-bikes from 2024 onwards. 

What about lights? 

From April 1st 2022 onwards, e-bikes will need to have their lights on at all times, rather than just at night or during periods of poor visibility. 

This is for both slow and fast e-bikes. 

This reflects the rules for cars and motorbikes in Switzerland, both of which need to have their lights on at all times. 

If you do not have your lights on – or if you don’t have lights at all – you may be subject to a fine. More info is available here. 

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LIVING IN SWITZERLAND

Six things to consider before you move to Switzerland

Before you move to Switzerland, you probably have a certain image in your head of what this country is like — most likely based on stereotypes. But before you come to live here, ask yourself some questions about what you might experience here.

Published: 20 February 2024 17:11 CET
Six things to consider before you move to Switzerland

Sure, there is cheese and chocolate, the Alps, and stunning landscapes practically everywhere you go.

There are also (comparably) high salaries, an enviable quality of life, and great infrastructure.

Those are some of the things that attract foreigners to Switzerland, but do they actually take a sober look at all the aspects of living in this country, and decide whether they can handle them?

Consider these before you decide to move here:

Three languages

When it comes to languages, Switzerland beats all other countries.

It has not just one official language (like most places) or two (like Belgium and Canada) but FOUR — German, French, Italian, and Romansh.

True, you don’t have to learn all the languages, but only the one that’s spoken in your canton of residence.

But learn you must if you want to obtain (and maintain) your work permit.

You must speak the language at an A1 elementary level for temporary admission or residence permit.

In other words, you can’t hope to keep your permit if you depend only on English to get around.

READ ALSO: Can you get by in Switzerland with just English?

Cost of living

Yes, Swiss wages are higher than elsewhere in Europe, and in many other countries as well.

And if your income is higher than the median (currently 6,665 francs a month), then you can likely afford to live comfortably in this expensive country.

Otherwise — and depending on your spending habits — you may have problems making ends meet.

As someone pointed out to us, “A Swiss wage is only high in other countries. The only place where it is not high is Switzerland.”

So crunch your numbers carefully before you decide to settle here.

Health insurance

On the positive side, the quality of healthcare in Switzerland is excellent.

However, it does come at a hefty price, which is reflected in the high health insurance premiums.

This insurance is obligatory, so you have no choice but to purchase a policy from one of dozens of private providers — and that can be expensive.

So if you come from a country where the health insurance is tax-supported (EU) or not compulsory (US), then the price of Switzerland’s plans will come as a shock to you.

Recycling culture

That’s definitely a biggie.

Switzerland has strict garbage disposal and recyling rules, so if you come from a country where trash is thrown out any each way, then you could have a hard time getting used to the Swiss system.

You may be even more shocked to learn (hopefully, not through experience) that ‘garbage inspectors’ actually sift through your trash and will fine you if they discover something in there that wasn’t properly disposed of — as this foreign resident of Zurich has found. 

Difficult to make friends

One negative side that many international residents have experienced, is that it is not easy to make Swiss friends.

Anecdotal evidence has it that locals often snub foreigners, and it takes a long time, and jumping through a lot of hoops, to be accepted by them.

Whether it’s because they are wary of strangers or because they value privacy is not certain. But the lesson here is: don’t expect social interactions with the Swiss the minute you step foot on their soil — if ever.

Silent Sundays

Not only are the vast majority of shops closed on Sundays, but being designated as ‘rest days’, Sundays in Switzerland are noise-free.

On those days, the Swiss expect everyone – except possibly newborns – to switch to a silent-mode for the entire day.

You can’t use your lawn mower, make repairs with a jackhammer, or emanate any other noise that can annoy your neighbours — who are in their right to call the police on you (and will).

READ ALSO: Six things you shouldn’t do on a Sunday in Switzerland 

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