BicyclePoland

Learn traffic rules with clear explanations and visual examples in our illustrated book, designed to make studying simple and engaging.


105. Bicycle

A bicycle is a vehicle with two or more wheels that is primarily propelled by the rider using pedals or hand cranks. Bicycles are used for transport, recreation, sport and the carriage of small loads or passengers when appropriately equipped.

Some bicycles have an electric motor that assists the rider while pedalling. Whether an electrically assisted bicycle remains legally classified as a bicycle depends on its motor power, assistance speed and local regulations. Cyclists must follow the traffic rules, signs, signals and road-use requirements that apply to bicycles.

Bicycle racks at the train station Steinhausen, side view with details of how the bike pedal fits the slot to hold the bike.
Wikimedia.org • Datendelphin • CC0
What is a bicycle?

A bicycle is a wheeled vehicle primarily propelled by the rider using pedals or hand cranks.

Is an electric bicycle still a bicycle?

It can be. Electrically assisted bicycles that remain within specified power and assistance-speed limits are commonly treated as bicycles. Faster or more powerful vehicles may be classified differently.

Where should cyclists ride?

Cyclists should use cycle paths, cycle lanes or the roadway according to the local traffic rules and signs. The required position varies between countries and road types.

Must cyclists use a cycle path?

This depends on the country and type of cycle facility. Some cycle paths are compulsory, while others are optional.

Do bicycles need lights?

Yes, when required by local law. Bicycles commonly need a white or yellow light at the front and a red light at the rear during darkness or poor visibility.

Do bicycles need brakes?

Yes. A bicycle used on public roads must have an effective braking system appropriate to its design and local technical requirements.

Is a bicycle helmet compulsory?

This varies between countries. Some require helmets for all cyclists or particular age groups, while others recommend helmets without making them compulsory.

Can a bicycle carry a passenger?

Yes, where the bicycle is appropriately equipped and local law permits it. A passenger should use a proper seat and any other required safety equipment.

Can cyclists ride side by side?

This depends on local law and the road conditions. Many countries allow two cyclists to ride beside each other in certain circumstances but require single-file riding when necessary for safety or traffic flow.

Is someone walking a bicycle still a cyclist?

In many traffic systems, a person who dismounts and walks the bicycle by hand is treated as a pedestrian. The exact legal definition depends on local law.

1 Poland 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Built-up area 6 Zone 7 Speed limit 8 Footpath 9 Bike path 10 Shared-use path 11 Separated path 12 Pedestrian warning 13 Tunnel 14 Speed bump 15 Toll road 16 Customs 17 One-way traffic 18 Quay 19 Slope 20 Bus lane 21 Bus stop 22 Dead end 23 Stop sign 24 Give way 25 Roundabout 26 Priority road 27 Road narrowing 28 Priority over oncoming traffic 29 Give way to oncoming traffic 30 Pedestrian crossing 31 Railway crossing 32 Mandatory direction 33 Turn prohibition 34 School area 35 Overtaking 36 Crossing animals 37 Curve 38 Chevron 39 Wrong-way driving 40 Roadworks 41 Height limit 42 Weight limit 43 Radar speed sign 44 Priority at the next junction 45 Traffic lights 46 Traffic lights warning 47 Pedestrian lights 48 Road markings 49 Junction layout 50 Driving licence 51 Traffic mirror 52 International border 53 Pedestrian underpass 54 Cycling route 55 Parking 56 No parking 57 No stopping 58 Park and ride 59 Kiss and ride 60 Disabled parking 61 Traffic management 62 Merging 63 Reversing 64 U-turn 65 Road surface 66 Provisional licence 67 Hazardous cargo 68 Radio service 69 Tourist attraction 70 Horn 71 Licence plate 72 Charging station 73 Dangers 74 Rail safety 75 Pedestrian 76 Cyclist 77 Car 78 Truck 79 Bus 80 Police 81 Ambulance 82 Taxi 83 European emission standard 84 Public road 85 Pothole 86 Private property 87 Path 88 Particulates 89 Air pollution 90 Rush hour 91 Road code 92 Two-way traffic 93 Street gutter 94 Cargo bike 95 Forestry vehicle 96 Construction vehicle 97 Semi-trailer truck 98 Trolleybus 99 Speed pedelec 100 Delivery vehicle ... 101 Idling 102 Tow truck 103 Four-wheel drive 104 No vehicles 105 Bicycle 106 Motorcycle equipment 107 Tram 108 Rail track 109 Caravan 110 Trailer 111 Tow hitch 112 Fire truck 113 Siren 114 Convoy 115 Emergency vehicle lighting 116 Agricultural machinery 117 Electric bicycle 118 Electric vehicle 119 Pedelec 120 Quadricycle 121 Microcar 122 All-terrain vehicle 123 Van 124 Recreational vehicle 125 Scooter 126 Trikke 127 Personal mobility device 128 Skateboard 129 Segway 130 Kick scooter 131 Roller skates 132 Mailman 133 Hitchhiker 134 Toddler 135 Child 136 Disability 137 Motor vehicle 138 Motorail 139 Parking violation 140 km/h 141 mph 142 Speedometer 143 National speed 144 Speed cushion 145 Ride height 146 Dirt road 147 Driving 148 Start-stop system 149 Manual transmission 150 Automatic transmission 151 Throttle 152 Tachometer 153 Steering wheel 154 Power steering 155 Visual scanning 156 Mirror 157 Fuel 158 Fuel gauge 159 Petrol 160 Diesel 161 Diesel exhaust fluid 162 Car insurance 163 First aid kit 164 Fire extinguisher 165 High-visibility clothing 166 First aid 167 Concrete step barrier 168 Barriers 169 Zipper method 170 Vehicle lights 171 Street lights 172 Dipped beam 173 High beam 174 Fog lights 175 Front fog lights 176 Rear fog lights 177 Side lights 178 Turn signals 179 Hazard lights 180 Dashboard lights 181 Bicycle lighting 182 Bicycle bell 183 Headlight flashing 184 Seat belt 185 Child restraints 186 Head restraints 187 Airbag 188 ABS 189 Esp 190 Traction control system 191 Helmet 192 Bicycle helmet 193 Hands-free 194 Smartphone 195 GPS 196 Brake 197 Handbrake 198 Brake fluid 199 Tyres 200 Tyre code 201 Winter tyres 202 Tyre pressure 203 Snow chains 204 Bicycle tyre 205 Continuous track 206 Gross Vehicle Weight 207 Gross Vehicle Weight Rating 208 Cargo 209 Car body 210 Trunk 211 Roof rack 212 Windscreen 213 Emergency hammer 214 Car battery 215 Traction battery 216 Suspension 217 Shock absorber 218 Spring 219 Exhaust 220 Exhaust gas 221 Soot 222 Catalytic converter 223 Engine 224 Petrol engine 225 Diesel engine 226 Electric motor 227 Timing belt 228 Glow plug 229 Cylinder 230 Engine oil 231 Coolant 232 Maintenance 233 Spare tyre 234 Flat tyre 235 Jack 236 Vehicle inspection 237 Key 238 Dashboard 239 Windscreen wiper 240 Doors 241 Glovebox 242 Visibility 243 Rain 244 Fog 245 Hail 246 Sunlight 247 Sunglasses 248 Salt 249 Air conditioning 250 Hydroplaning 251 Loose chippings 252 Distraction 253 Emotions 254 Road rage 255 Health 256 Epilepsy 257 Night blindness 258 Visual impairment 259 Fatigue 260 Defects 261 Traffic violation 262 Alcohol 263 Alcohol control 264 Ignition interlock device 265 Breath test 266 Breath analysis 267 Blood alcohol content 268 Blood test 269 Saliva test 270 Drugs 271 Medication 272 Penalties 273 Speeding 274 Smoking 275 Traffic enforcement camera 276 Double curve 277 Accident 278 Injuries 279 Nosebleed 280 Damage 281 Breakdown 282 Warning triangle 283 Traffic rules 284 Driving school 285 Traffic signs