https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Switzerland in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Over the past five years, the number of fatal road accidents in Switzerland has risen by 34 percent, while the European average fell by 12 percent during the same timeframe. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251105/why-are-switzerlands-road-death-rates-the-worst-in-europe Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:08:18 +0100 why-are-switzerlands-road-death-rates-the-worst-in-europe Switzerland's rules of the road don’t just apply to motorists but also to cyclists, who risk paying a hefty fine if they break them. Here are the nine common violations to be aware of and the amount you’d pay if you break the rules. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230111/cycling-in-switzerland-9-rules-you-can-be-fined-for-breaking Wed, 11 Jan 2023 15:52:40 +0100 cycling-in-switzerland-9-rules-you-can-be-fined-for-breaking To mark the Cycle Week that takes place in Zurich from May 22nd to 28th, Switzerland’s largest city is inaugurating a tunnel under the main train station, dedicated exclusively to bicycle traffic. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250522/zurich-opens-new-bicycle-tunnel-under-main-train-station Thu, 22 May 2025 13:49:12 +0200 zurich-opens-new-bicycle-tunnel-under-main-train-station The number of accidents involving cyclists in Switzerland has shot up in recent years and there are reasons to explain the rise. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250328/is-cycling-becoming-more-dangerous-in-switzerland Fri, 28 Mar 2025 16:24:46 +0100 is-cycling-becoming-more-dangerous-in-switzerland Whether you’re commuting to work, training for your next Bike-A-Thon, or simply like to explore the Swiss countryside on the weekend – as a cyclist, you take part in traffic and must be aware of Switzerland’s rules of the road. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230515/explained-what-you-can-and-cant-do-on-a-bicycle-in-switzerland Mon, 15 May 2023 16:55:02 +0200 explained-what-you-can-and-cant-do-on-a-bicycle-in-switzerland Cycling infrastructure in Switzerland doesn’t come cheap and a proposal currently under debate seeks funding from those who rely on it the most: cyclists themselves. https://www.thelocal.ch/20250109/why-cyclists-in-switzerland-could-soon-be-taxed-to-fund-biking-paths Thu, 09 Jan 2025 16:18:24 +0100 why-cyclists-in-switzerland-could-soon-be-taxed-to-fund-biking-paths Whether you’d like to commute to work without breaking a sweat, evade traffic or save time on finding suitable parking: owning an electric bike in Switzerland comes with many perks, but also certain cycling rules you need to obey. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230523/switzerlands-laws-that-electric-bike-owners-need-to-know Tue, 23 May 2023 16:00:32 +0200 switzerlands-laws-that-electric-bike-owners-need-to-know Switzerland has rolled out new laws in April for drivers as well as those who ride fast electric bikes. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240301/switzerland-to-enforce-new-speed-rule-for-electric-bikes-from-april Fri, 01 Mar 2024 14:20:24 +0100 switzerland-to-enforce-new-speed-rule-for-electric-bikes-from-april Zurich is known as a great city for cyclists, but could anything be improved for bike riders or even for pedestrians and what advice do you have for other riders? https://www.thelocal.ch/20231016/have-your-say-how-could-zurich-be-improved-for-cycling Mon, 16 Oct 2023 20:02:32 +0200 have-your-say-how-could-zurich-be-improved-for-cycling A number of Swiss cantons are dragging their feet in implementing the legislation on bike lane networks. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240105/why-switzerland-is-not-up-to-speed-on-new-bike-lanes Fri, 05 Jan 2024 13:03:16 +0100 why-switzerland-is-not-up-to-speed-on-new-bike-lanes Swiss rider Gino Maeder has died from the injuries he sustained when he plunged into a ravine during a stage of the Tour of Switzerland, his team Bahrain-Victorious said on Friday. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230616/swiss-rider-dies-after-fall-into-ravine-on-tour-of-switzerland Fri, 16 Jun 2023 14:54:29 +0200 swiss-rider-dies-after-fall-into-ravine-on-tour-of-switzerland The Swiss have a myriad of rules in place, so the question about a registration for a bike is a legitimate one. The answer depends on what kind of bicycle you ride. https://www.thelocal.ch/20220908/reader-question-in-switzerland-does-my-bike-need-a-registration-plate Thu, 08 Sep 2022 16:26:13 +0200 reader-question-in-switzerland-does-my-bike-need-a-registration-plate Demand for bicycles has soared in Europe during the coronavirus pandemic, but conversely the global supply is at record low levels, with consumers having to wait months or over a year for their bike of choice. https://www.thelocal.ch/20210114/video-why-you-may-struggle-to-get-a-bike-in-europe-in-2021 Thu, 14 Jan 2021 15:41:40 +0100 video-why-you-may-struggle-to-get-a-bike-in-europe-in-2021 Created in May for the duration of two months, the cycle lanes can be used by Geneva’s bikers until mid-September https://www.thelocal.ch/20200629/genevas-temporary-bicycle-lanes-are-extended-until-september Mon, 29 Jun 2020 14:19:35 +0200 genevas-temporary-bicycle-lanes-are-extended-until-september A proposal by tabled in the Swiss National Council which seeks to target disobedient cyclists by handing out the same punishments as those for motorists has drawn criticism from pro-cycling groups and members of mainstream Swiss political parties. https://www.thelocal.ch/20191001/registration-higher-fines-and-confiscation-swiss-proposal-to-treat-cyclists-like-motorists-draws-ire Tue, 01 Oct 2019 12:43:43 +0200 registration-higher-fines-and-confiscation-swiss-proposal-to-treat-cyclists-like-motorists-draws-ire A pilot project providing paid cycle parking at more convenient locations outside major train stations across Switzerland has caused controversy, with critics arguing that it drives up the cost of cycling and reduces overall bike parking opportunities. https://www.thelocal.ch/20190925/premium-bike-parking-program-at-swiss-train-stations-draws-controversy Wed, 25 Sep 2019 13:28:22 +0200 premium-bike-parking-program-at-swiss-train-stations-draws-controversy Vehicles should be required by law to give cyclists 1.5 metres of space when overtaking, says Matthias Aebischer, President of the Pro Velo cycling group and Social Democrat Party politician. https://www.thelocal.ch/20181015/calls-for-legislation-to-protect-cyclists-on-swiss-roads-from-aebischer Mon, 15 Oct 2018 14:12:36 +0200 calls-for-legislation-to-protect-cyclists-on-swiss-roads-from-aebischer It's one of the fault lines of modern civilisation: the divide between cyclists and other road users. https://www.thelocal.ch/20180524/zurich-wants-to-let-bike-riders-run-some-red-lights-idaho-stop Thu, 24 May 2018 13:49:55 +0200 zurich-wants-to-let-bike-riders-run-some-red-lights-idaho-stop With its beautiful scenery, well-maintained roads and routes for all abilities, Switzerland is a road cyclist’s paradise. With summer on its way, The Local asked experts to pick their favourites. https://www.thelocal.ch/20170511/six-incredible-road-cycle-rides-in-switzerland Thu, 11 May 2017 12:17:57 +0200 six-incredible-road-cycle-rides-in-switzerland Swiss rider Stefan Küng has undergone surgery on his jaw following a crash in Sunday's Paris-Roubaix cycling classic, his BMC team announced on Tuesday. https://www.thelocal.ch/20180410/swiss-rider-stefan-kng-has-jaw-surgery-after-paris-roubaix-crash Tue, 10 Apr 2018 23:21:11 +0200 swiss-rider-stefan-kng-has-jaw-surgery-after-paris-roubaix-crash