One in three cyclists drives at night without lights

The Federal Council calls for energy savings. What he certainly does not mean is that we need to save on the lighting in our vehicles. But apparently this is exactly what many cyclists and even more scooter riders do.

A few light checks by TCS divisions on two-wheeled vehicles at dusk or in the dark this month gave a bleak picture. Slightly less than two-thirds (2,609 vehicles) of the observed 4,035 bicycles, e-bikes, e-scooters or other two-wheeled vehicles that were required by law to be equipped with lighting met the provisions set out in the technical requirements regulation. Of the 1,426 two-wheelers complained of, 691 (17 percent) had their headlights on but did not comply with regulations. In contrast, 735 two-wheeled vehicles (18 percent) were completely dark and without light.

But there is one thing to consider above all else: 51 percent of all electric scooters observed were not properly equipped. Although these vehicles belonged to the category of light mopeds in Switzerland, they were traveling without prescribed lighting.

Romans are black sheep

What the TCS observations also show: there are strong regional differences in the behavior of cyclists. The proportion of well-lit “slow-moving vehicles” in German-speaking Switzerland was almost 72 percent, while in Ticino it was just under 65 percent. On the other hand, in French-speaking Switzerland, more than 53 percent of two-wheeled vehicles tested were not properly illuminated when driving in the dark. To be specific: Out of 1,087 bikes, e-bikes and e-scooters checked in western Switzerland, 247 had lights that were on but were not compatible. And 333 comrades rode without light.

The black sheep quite frankly underestimates the danger, literally, wandering around without lights in their vehicles at dusk or in the dark. Last year, 4,774 people were injured and 39 people died in 5,391 accidents involving bicycles or e-bikes officially registered by the police.

Statistics do not show how many accidents can be traced back to poor or missing lighting on the cyclist’s side. However, it shows that road users with bicycles, e-bikes, e-scooters and other two-wheeled slow-moving transportation vehicles belong to the group most at risk, along with pedestrians. And for this reason alone, suitable clothing with reflectors makes sense, as well as properly functioning vehicle lighting.

Cycling guide: What to do if the bike is dazzling?