One and every fourth person on a bicycle in the dark without lights
Published: Tuesday, Oct 31st 2023, 12:10
Updated At: Wednesday, Nov 1st 2023, 00:55
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In Switzerland, every fourth person on a conventional bicycle is traveling in the dark without lights. On the occasion of the Day of Light on Thursday, the Swiss Council for Accident Prevention (BFU) draws attention to the need for proper lighting.
At night, the risk of accidents on a bicycle is about 1.5 times higher than during the day. The lighting on the vehicle should also be accompanied by a high-visibility vest, advises the agency on Tuesday. However, only 5 percent of all cyclists put on the vest, regardless of whether they are riding with or without an electric drive.
According to BFU findings, a quarter of drivers of normal bicycles do not switch on their lights at night or at dusk. The situation is different for electric bicycles. Since 2022, these have also been subject to mandatory lighting during the day.
Nine percent of those on slow electric bikes ride without lights in the dark, compared with two percent of those on fast electric bikes. During the day, every fourth person on a slow electric bike does not comply with the light obligation, on the fast models it is nine percent.
In addition to wearing lights on bicycles, the BFU recommends that vehicle lights be turned on during the day and that reflectors be attached to the vehicle. Lights should also be on scooters, skateboards and other vehicles at night and in poor visibility. The BFU advises pedestrians to wear light-colored clothing and reflective materials.
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