Bike pathSwitzerland
9. Bike path
A bike path is a part of a road or a separate route intended primarily or exclusively for people riding bicycles. It may be physically separated from motor traffic, marked on the road surface or identified by traffic signs.
Bike paths may be one-way, two-way or shared with other road users. The permitted users, direction of travel, priority rules and obligation to use the path depend on local traffic signs and regulations.
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
Must cyclists use Swiss cycle paths and lanes?
Yes. The Act requires cyclists to use cycle paths and lanes. The German terms are Radweg and Radstreifen; the French terms are piste cyclable and bande cyclable. Follow the facility’s signs and permitted direction.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OCR Art 40; LCR Art 46(1); OSR Art 33
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR 741.21, 1 October 2026: OCR Art 40; LCR Art 46(1); OSR Art 33
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • LCR 741.01, Art 46(1): cycle paths and lanes
Mandatory path for cyclists.
English • Traffic sign 2.60 • Cycle track.
Deutsch • Verkehrssignal 2.60 • Radweg.
Français • Signal 2.60 • Piste cyclable.
Italiano • Segnale 2.60 • Ciclopista.
Sources
🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • SSV, Anhang 2 (DE)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSR, annexe 2 (FR)
🔗 Fedlex.admin.ch • OSStr, allegato 2 (IT)
SVG source: Commons.wikimedia.org • Original SVG
Bundesamt für Strassen (ASTRA) • Public domain • Original revision 2017-07-08. Wikimedia original unmodified.
Artwork reviewed against the Swiss signalling ordinance, version 1 October 2026, annex 2: Fedlex.admin.ch • Signal 2.60, PDF page 110. Catalogue-equivalent illustration; intentional update from the previous PNG. This is an educational illustration, not a manufacturing specification.
How does Switzerland distinguish a cycle path from a cycle lane?
A cycle path is structurally separated from the carriageway and appropriately signed. A cycle lane is marked on the carriageway. That difference matters when entering the road: do not assume a separate path is simply another carriageway lane.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OCR Art 40; LCR Art 46(1); OSR Art 33
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR 741.21, 1 October 2026: OCR Art 40; LCR Art 46(1); OSR Art 33
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • LCR 741.01, Art 46(1): cycle paths and lanes
May I ignore pedestrians on a Swiss shared walking and cycling path?
No. The signs distinguish shared surfaces from divided ones. On a joint facility, cyclists must show consideration for pedestrians and warn them when necessary. On a divided facility, use the indicated cycling part.
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OCR Art 40; LCR Art 46(1); OSR Art 33
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • OSR 741.21, 1 October 2026: OCR Art 40; LCR Art 46(1); OSR Art 33
🔗 fedlex.admin.ch • LCR 741.01, Art 46(1): cycle paths and lanes

Traffic rules
Switzerland