- In Switzerland, a bicycle trailer with its load may be no more than 1.00 m wide, its operating weight may not exceed 80 kg, and the load may extend no more than 50 cm to the rear (VRV Art. 68 para. 7).
- Warning: a common misconception. The 80 kg applies to the trailer and its load, not to the bicycle, rider and trailer combined. Many guides state this incorrectly.
- In practice, the manufacturer—not the law—almost always sets the limit. Our trailer is designed for 30 kg of payload, well below the statutory limit.
- Front and rear reflectors, one on the left and one on the right, are mandatory, as is a roadworthy, swivelling hitch (VTS Art. 210). A flag is not required.
- Children may only be carried in a trailer with protected seats, with a maximum of two children, and the rider must be over 16. A cargo trailer is not designed for this.
Contents
- What is actually permitted in Switzerland?
- How much can I really load?
- What matters when it comes to the coupling?
- What changes when I ride an e-bike?
- May I carry children in a bicycle trailer?
- What should you look for when buying?
- Cargo trailer, child trailer, or luggage rack?
- The TWHEELS bike trailer in detail
- Frequently asked questions
- Conclusion
Anyone looking for a bicycle trailer in Switzerland will mostly find German websites with prices in euros and German regulations. That is frustrating, because the figures really do differ between the countries. Even more frustratingly, Swiss sources themselves regularly state the central weight limit incorrectly. We therefore looked up the legal text ourselves and quote it here verbatim, so you do not have to rely on hearsay.
What is actually permitted in Switzerland?
Three figures regulate almost everything: 1.00 metres in width, 80 kilograms operating weight, and 50 centimetres of rear overhang. This is stated verbatim in the Traffic Rules Ordinance, Article 68 paragraph 7: “Trailers attached to bicycles may be no more than 1.00 m wide, including the load. A load overhang of no more than 50 cm is permitted at the rear. The operating weight may not exceed 80 kg.”
The technical requirements from the VTS, Article 210, also apply. They are brief and easy to meet in everyday use:
| Rule | What applies | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Width | Max. 1.00 m, including the load | VRV Art. 68 para. 7 |
| Operating weight | Max. 80 kg (trailer plus load) | VRV Art. 68 para. 7 |
| Rear overhang | Max. 50 cm | VRV Art. 68 para. 7 |
| Number of trailers | Only one per bicycle | VRV Art. 68 para. 1 |
| Reflectors | One each at the front and rear, on the left and right, as far out as possible, not triangular | VTS Art. 210 para. 2 |
| Lights | If the trailer obscures the bicycle's rear light, it must have a red or yellow light at the back at night | VTS Art. 210 para. 2 |
| Hitch | Attached to the towing vehicle in a roadworthy and swivelling manner | VTS Art. 210 para. 4 |
| Children | Max. two, in protected seats, driver over 16 years old | VRV Art. 63 para. 3 |
A flag does not appear anywhere in the law for cargo trailers. It is therefore voluntary. We still include one because a low-profile trailer simply disappears into a car driver’s blind spot. This is not a regulation, but common sense.
How much can I really load?
Usually significantly less than the law permits—and that is correct. The 80 kilograms specified in the VRV are the upper limit for everything that is legal. The amount your specific trailer can carry is stated by the manufacturer, and that is the binding figure. Exceeding it risks not primarily a fine, but a broken frame at 25 km/h.
This is where it is worth looking at the most common misconception online. You repeatedly read that the total weight of the bike, rider, trailer and load must not exceed 80 kilograms. That would be absurd, since an adult rider with a bike would already exceed it. The legal text refers to the operating weight, meaning the trailer together with its load. The claim that 120 kilograms are permitted with continuous brakes also persists. Article 68 says nothing about this.
In practical terms: Our trailer is designed for a payload of 30 kilograms, distributed across a maximum of two pieces of luggage weighing 18 kilograms each. This puts you well within the legal limit, and the manufacturer’s limit is the only figure you really need to keep in mind. What 30 kilograms means in concrete terms: a week’s groceries for a family of four, two crates of drinks, or garden waste from the allotment.
What matters when it comes to the coupling?
The coupling is where most purchasing mistakes happen. It must do two things: fit your bike and swivel. The law requires a “roadworthy coupling” that is attached so that it can “swivel.” This is necessary because the trailer must be able to move with you when cornering or when the bike tips over, without pulling you along with it.
There are broadly two types. Rear-axle couplings are the standard and fit almost every adult bike, but they require an accessible quick-release skewer or thru-axle. Seat-post couplings mount more quickly, but transfer more movement to the bike and are not suitable for suspension seat posts. Check three points before buying:
- Does it fit your bike? Take a look at the rear axle. An internally geared hub, disc brake, or frame with a thru-axle can restrict installation.
- How quickly can it be attached? If you only need the trailer twice a week, you will want to detach and reattach it without tools. Otherwise, it will just sit there.
- Is there a safety feature? A second retaining pin or a safety strap is what saves you if the main connection comes loose.
One point we know from support: Many people underestimate how much space the trailer takes up in the basement. That is why foldability is not a marketing feature but the difference between being used and being sold.
What changes when I ride an e-bike?
Legally, almost nothing; practically, quite a lot. The regulations in Article 210 of the VTS expressly apply to “trailers attached to bicycles and mopeds,” so they apply to your regular bicycle just as they do to an e-bike. Even with an e-bike, you may tow only one trailer, and the 1.00-meter width and 80-kilogram limits remain unchanged.
The difference lies in the riding experience. With motor assistance, you barely notice the load uphill, which is comfortable but also the catch: at 25 km/h with 30 kilograms in tow, you are traveling faster than your braking distance allows. Expect noticeably longer braking distances, especially in wet conditions, and take curves more slowly than you would without a trailer. The rear tire pressure also needs to be increased; otherwise, the tire flexes under load. A compact cordless air pump with a pressure gauge takes the guesswork out of it.
The second effect concerns the battery. Additional weight reduces range, and exactly how much depends on the route and elevation gain. Our E-Bike City Classic handles the trailer effortlessly in everyday use, but if you are planning a long tour with a full load, factor in some reserve. Our guide to storing your e-bike battery correctly explains how to preserve its range over the years.
May I carry children in a bicycle trailer?
Yes, but only in a trailer designed for that purpose. Article 63 paragraph 3 of the VRV permits “a maximum of two children on protected seats in a bicycle trailer attached to bicycles with one or two seats.” The rider must be over 16 years old. In addition, one more child may ride in a safe child seat mounted on the bike.
The decisive phrase is “on protected seats”. A child trailer has a harness system, roll-over protection, and a seat shell. A cargo trailer has a loading area. These are two different products, even though both have two wheels and a drawbar. Our trailer is a cargo trailer, intended for shopping, luggage, and materials—not for children. Anyone who wants to transport children needs a model with tested seats, and for that, visiting a specialist retailer is more worthwhile than any online comparison.
What should you look for when buying?
Five things, in this order. Everything else is an optional extra that makes no difference in everyday use.
- Load capacity and loading area: It is not just the kilograms that count, but whether your box will fit inside at all. Measure before ordering.
- Coupling and compatibility: Does it fit your rear axle, and can you attach and detach it without tools?
- Weather protection: A waterproof cover determines whether you will still use the trailer in November. A viewing window helps when loading.
- Parking brake: Without one, the loaded trailer will roll away downhill while you are parking the bike. It sounds like a detail, but in everyday use it makes all the difference.
- Foldability: If it does not fold down small, it gets in the way and will not be used.
What we deliberately leave off the list: suspension. It sounds good, but costs money and adds weight, while offering far less benefit for luggage than for children. For shopping and tools, a good tyre is enough.
Cargo trailer, child trailer, or luggage rack?
The three solutions meet three different needs, and most bad purchases happen because people confuse them. A cargo trailer transports volume, a child trailer transports people, and a luggage rack transports small items.
| Criterion | Cargo trailer (our recommendation for shopping and materials) | Child trailer | Luggage rack with panniers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical load capacity | Around 30 kg, legally up to 80 kg operating weight possible | Two children, depending on the model | Usually 25 to 30 kg on the luggage rack |
| What it is designed for | Shopping, garden waste, tools, moving boxes | Transporting people with a harness and seat shell | Laptop, snack, sports gear |
| Children allowed | No, no protected seats | Yes, max. two (VRV Art. 63) | No |
| When not in use | Uncouple and fold it, and the bike rides normally | Uncoupling it takes up a lot of storage space | Stays mounted |
| Our price range | CHF 149 | Not in our range | From CHF 129 as an option for the e-bike |
In short: If you regularly transport more than fits in two bike panniers, the highlighted column wins. If you only need to carry your laptop and sports gear, skip the trailer and get a luggage rack.
The TWHEELS bike trailer in detail
Our bicycle trailer for e-bikes and bicycles is a cargo trailer for everyday use—not a touring trailer or child trailer. The verified key details from the product page:
- Payload: up to 30 kg, with room for two pieces of luggage weighing a maximum of 18 kg each.
- Hitch: attach and detach without tools, compatible with most adult bicycles.
- Weather protection: waterproof cover with a roll-up viewing window.
- Brake: integrated parking brake for safe loading and unloading.
- Safety: load-securing straps and a safety flag are included.
- Storage: foldable, so it fits in the basement instead of the garage.
- Price: CHF 149.
Honest about the limitations: 30 kilograms is not enough for moving house, and the parking brake is designed for loading, not as a running brake for downhill rides. Anyone who regularly transports heavy loads over long distances would be better served by a proper cargo bike. For weekly shopping, the allotment garden and trips to the DIY store, this trailer is just right.
We found this feedback from the Judge.me reviews the most helpful because it honestly acknowledges the trade-off instead of simply praising the product:
“Our route home includes a good 300 metres of elevation gain. I’ve now ridden it four times with a load and reach the top about two minutes later than usual. I can live with that.”
Nadja P., ★★★★★
You can find the current overall rating and all reviews directly on the bicycle trailer product page.
Frequently asked questions
How much weight may a bicycle trailer carry in Switzerland?
The operating weight—that is, the trailer plus its load—may not exceed 80 kg (VRV Art. 68 para. 7). In everyday use, however, the lower manufacturer’s specification is decisive. Our trailer is designed for a payload of 30 kg, distributed across two pieces of luggage weighing a maximum of 18 kg each.
How wide may a bicycle trailer be?
A maximum of 1.00 metre, including the load. If anything protrudes sideways beyond the trailer, it counts towards this measurement. An additional 50 cm of overhang is permitted at the rear.
Do I need a flag or pennant for a bicycle trailer?
No, Swiss law does not require a flag for cargo trailers. Reflectors are mandatory at the front and rear, on both the left and right. A flag is still useful because drivers can easily overlook a low trailer. One is included with ours.
Can I ride an e-bike with a bicycle trailer?
Yes. The technical requirements in VTS Art. 210 apply equally to bicycles and motorised bicycles. However, expect longer braking distances, increase the rear tyre pressure and plan for spare battery capacity on longer rides.
Can I transport children in a cargo trailer?
No. The VRV allows children to be carried only in a trailer with protected seats, meaning a harness and seat shell, and a maximum of two children. A cargo trailer has a loading platform and is neither designed nor approved for this purpose.
Can I tow two trailers in a row?
No. Only one trailer may be towed by a bicycle (VRV Art. 68 para. 1). The exceptions in the same article concern tractors and commercial motorised carts, not bicycles.
Does a bike trailer need its own light at night?
Only if it obscures your bicycle’s rear light. In this case, the trailer must have a red or yellow light at the rear at night (VTS Art. 210 para. 2). Reflectors are mandatory regardless.
Conclusion
A bike trailer is the most affordable way to turn a bicycle into a means of transport. The Swiss rules are fairly straightforward: one metre wide, 80 kilograms operating weight, 50 centimetres of overhang, reflectors all around, and one trailer per bicycle. If you comply with these requirements, you’re on the safe side, and in practice the manufacturer’s limit will usually stop you before the law does.
The most important decision comes first: cargo trailer or child trailer. As soon as children are going to ride along, you need a model with protected seats, full stop. If it’s for shopping, gardening and materials, our bike trailer for e-bikes and bicycles for CHF 149 is the straightforward choice, and it folds away when you don’t need it. If you don’t ride an e-bike yet and are wondering whether it’s worthwhile for your commute, our overview of which e-bikes and e-scooters are approved in Switzerland can help.
About the author: Lena Brunner is an editor and tester at TWHEELS. We looked up the legal information in this article directly in Swiss federal law on 31 July 2026: Traffic Regulations Ordinance (VRV, SR 741.11) and Ordinance on the Technical Requirements for Road Vehicles (VTS, SR 741.41). They do not replace legal advice. Learn more about Lena and our testing work on the author page.
