Traffic
Turn signals now allowed on all bikes
A bicycle indicator on a recumbent bike. photo
© Arne Immanuel Bänsch/dpa
The increasing number of accidents with Pedelecs is leading to a new turn signal regulation. The Federal Council has cleared the way.
In the future, indicators will be for everyone Bicycles allowed when turning. The Federal Council agreed to a corresponding change to the road traffic law regulations. Transport State Secretary Oliver Luksic (FDP) welcomed the fact that the state chamber had cleared the way for bicycle indicators to be permitted in the future.
“Technological developments in recent years have made this change possible,” said Luksic. “This is good for road safety because it means cyclists can be noticed better when turning. But it is also an important signal for the bicycle industry, which now has planning security to bring appropriate products onto the market.”
Previously, “direction indicators” were only permitted on multi-track bicycles and bicycles with a body – such as cycle rickshaws – where the driver’s hand signals are completely or partially obscured.
In January, the Federal Ministry of Transport announced new regulations. A spokeswoman said the Ministry of Transport was concerned about the increasing number of accidents involving pedelecs – the number of bicycles with auxiliary motors has risen significantly in recent years. In order to indicate the turn, it is currently necessary to take your hand off the handlebars. In difficult situations, this could lead to an impairment of driving stability and a change in braking behavior.
Optional direction indicators are a means of defusing this. Optional turn signals could replace the hand signal when cyclists indicate that they want to turn.