Bicycle fires play a vital role in preventing accidents. A TCS survey carried out in the nine largest Swiss cities shows that there is still much to be done in this area. Thus, more than 20% of cyclists were driving at night without lighting and putting themselves in danger as well as other road users. In Geneva, there were even more than 50% of bicycles without traffic lights. With this survey, the TCS wants to send a clear message as part of the “Day of Light” and help raise awareness of this fundamental issue.
Of the bicycles surveyed, nearly 80% were properly equipped with front and rear lights, but the lighting was sometimes insufficient. The results differ a lot in different cities. The city of Aura (AG) is at the top of the list: 100% of the bikes tested were correctly equipped. Geneva, where barely half of the cyclists controlled circulated with adequate lighting, inherited the red lantern.
“Cyclists without fires do not only compromise their own safety. While driving without lighting, they also endanger other road users. Poor visibility is a common cause of accidents. Many of them could be avoided at little cost, “says TCS Communication & Campaign Manager Helmet Gruyere.
The risk of an accident is three times higher at night or in the dark than the day. If you add rain, snow or a backlight, it can even be multiplied by ten. Adequate lighting is important for two reasons: it increases the safety of cyclists because they themselves can better identify hazards, and it allows other road users to notice them earlier.
Rules in Switzerland
When it comes to bicycle lighting, the rules are clear: the bicycle must have a white light at the front and a red light at the rear. Both lights must be non-flashing and visible at a distance of 100 meters. In principle, the majority of commercially available bicycle lights meet these legal requirements. Nevertheless, there are better or less adapted lighting according to the needs and the different types of bicycles (see the TCS (2016)). In any case, it is important to be perfectly visible.
The importance of reflective clothing
In poor visibility, a person wearing dark clothing is seen by motorists only 25 meters away. In this case, it is often too late. Clothing with reflective tapes or reflective elements is visible at 140 meters and gives other road users more time to react. The fashion industry and distribution have realized that it is impossible to generalize the reflective vest for practical and aesthetic reasons. But today, there are many products on the market that reconcile style and safety. The MADE VISIBLE campaign supported by the Road Safety Fund wants to encourage this development by offering on its website a useful overview of the solutions available and easy to implement on a daily basis.