Basic "Road Safety" rules in Europe

[HJ]

Before setting off for tour in another country it is generally useful to know what the "Road Safety" rules are for that country, with that in mind the European Commission have produced this handy map.

Would you know in which you are legal required to wear a reflective jacket if you are walking pushing a bicycle at night (outside built up areas)? Or in which country you are required to wear a cycle helmet outside build up areas, but not if temperatures are high or you are riding up a long upward slope?

 

[Angelfishsolo]

Before setting off for tour in another country it is generally useful to know what the "Road Safety" rules are for that country, with that in mind the European Commission have produced this handy map.

Would you know in which you are legal required to wear a reflective jacket if you are walking pushing a bicycle at night (outside built up areas)? Or in which country you are required to wear a cycle helmet outside build up areas, but not if temperatures are high or you are riding up a long upward slope?

I would not have a clue. If I ever do ride abroad I am sure I will find the EC map very useful indeed. Cheers

 

[betty swollocks]

That's great and thanks for sharing.
Have forwarded link to all my cycling friends.

 

[HLaB]

I think HiViz is law in rural France during darkness and a few places have helmet laws I think Spain does unless its too hot but I'll have to look at that link and bookmark it for any future travels

 

[HJ]

There are a number of countries which have laws on Hi Viz, but only one that I have spotted that requires you to wear it even if you are walking pushing a bicycle at night...

 

[lulubel]

The information might not all be correct, so don't rely on it totally. I know, in Spain, the motorway speed limit is 120kph, not 110kph as stated.

They also don't seem to take the helmet law very seriously - I've been here 2 years, and didn't even know about it. Most cyclists do wear helmets, but I see some people regularly who never wear one and the police don't take any notice.

 

[Festina_Lente]

No, it's 110kph.. They changed recently and saved the economy some phenomenal sum of money.

 

[Festina_Lente]

Wait a second... I'm wrong: My link

They changed it back to 120kph on 01/07/11

 

[bilboburgler]

i dug out some rules for the two main benelux countries at http://www.mybikeguide.co.uk/North_Sea_Travel.php both these countries are serious about bike rules, one nice thing in Holland is that the law presumes guilt on any car driver in a bike car crash

 

[bilboburgler]

Good map link; there is also a very good website at http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/ which covers countries all over Europe

 

[lulubel]

Wait a second... I'm wrong: My link

They changed it back to 120kph on 01/07/11

Yes, they changed it, then changed it back a short time later.

The rumour is, they changed it because of the cost of oil going up. Then they realised people driving at lower speeds were using less fuel, so lowering the speed limit was actually costing the government money in lost fuel duty.

I don't know whether there's the slightest morsel of truth in it, but it's a good rumour

 

[Mitz]

Yes, they changed it, then changed it back a short time later.

The rumour is, they changed it because of the cost of oil going up. Then they realised people driving at lower speeds were using less fuel, so lowering the speed limit was actually costing the government money in lost fuel duty.

I don't know whether there's the slightest morsel of truth in it, but it's a good rumour

Yes, the motorway speed limit is 120 kph, it only changed for a short while, and it was pretty pointless.

As regards riding here, at night you don't see a lot of cyclists in the dark, bearing in mind it is light until gone nine here at the moment. Strangely, Spanish motorists seem to show a great deal of care around here towards cyclists, and only on a few occasions have I been cut up.

I would say using a vis vest even in the late evening would be good advice though. People are going home after work in a hurry after 8ish

I didnt wear a helmet when I first started training, but always do now ... I rarely see anyone "serious" cycling without one, as opposed to motorcyclists who often dont wear them (even though that IS law)

 

[EuroRider]

I ride around Hungary and the locals seem to think Helmet and Vest are mandatory. The link says only a vest is. Either way, I wear neither and have driven directly next to Police in front of them, behind them, and they have never even looked at me twice.