Bike pathSwitzerland

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of Switzerland. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.


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.

Path for cyclists. (Geneve, Switzerland)
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. 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

1 Switzerland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Tunnel 12 Pedestrian zone 13 Customs 14 One-way traffic 15 Slope 16 Bus lane 17 Bus stop 18 Dead end 19 Stop sign 20 Give way 21 Roundabout 22 Priority road 23 Road narrowing 24 Priority over oncoming traffic 25 Give way to oncoming traffic 26 Pedestrian crossing 27 Railway crossing 28 Mandatory direction 29 Turn prohibition 30 School area 31 Overtaking 32 Crossing animals 33 Slippery road 34 Rockfall 35 Aircraft 36 Curve 37 Chevron 38 Wrong-way driving 39 Roadworks 40 Crosswind 41 Height limit 42 Width limit 43 Length limit 44 Weight limit 45 Intersection direction sign 46 Priority at the next junction 47 Traffic lights 48 Traffic lights warning 49 Pedestrian lights 50 Road markings 51 Junction layout 52 Driving licence 53 Location marker 54 Road number 55 Countdown markers 56 Traffic mirror 57 Emergency telephone 58 International border 59 Pedestrian underpass 60 Cycling route 61 End of restriction 62 Parking 63 No parking 64 No stopping 65 Parking disc 66 Reversing 67 U-turn 68 Traffic jam 69 Detour 70 Uncontrolled crossroad 71 Road surface 72 Exit 73 Information point 74 Horse riding 75 Emergency exit 76 Runaway truck ramp 77 Radio service 78 Oversize load 79 City limit 80 Hospital 81 Parking garage 82 Passing place 83 Pedestrian overpass 84 Axle weight limit 85 Licence plate 86 Charging station 87 Dangers 88 Weather 89 Turn on red 90 Pedestrian 91 Cyclist 92 Moped 93 Motorcycle 94 Car 95 Truck 96 Bus 97 Police 98 Ambulance 99 Tailgating 100 European emission standard ...