E-bikes, e-scooters & electric scooters road approval in Switzerland and other legal questions
In this article, you will learn the most important information about electric scooters and e-bikes on Swiss roads and the requirements that must be met for Swiss road approval.
More and more e-scooters and e-bikes are appearing in everyday life, which raises questions about the legal aspects for some. Especially those considering purchasing an e-bike or e-scooter should inform themselves about the legal basics.
E-scooters, electric scooters & e-bikes in Swiss traffic
Electric scooters and e-bikes with a maximum speed of 20 or 25 km/h are classified as light motorcycles and are legally equated. In Swiss road traffic, such vehicles are absolutely equivalent to classic bicycles, provided they have road approval. This means you can also use bike paths with your e-scooter and e-bike, which are available to every cyclist. Bike paths are even mandatory for all bicycles and mopeds when they run parallel to the road.
A road-approved e-scooter or e-bike up to 20 km/h or 25 km/h with pedal assistance may enter a pedestrian zone with the sign "Cyclists allowed" at walking pace. A fast e-bike with pedal assistance up to 45 km/h, but only with the drive switched off. Since the normal walking speed of an adult in pedestrian zones is about 3-4 km/h, e-bikes and e-scooters should not be ridden faster than 5-6 km/h.
For your e-bike or electric scooter to have road approval, i.e., to be allowed to drive on Swiss roads at all, the vehicle must meet the official ASTRA specifications. The ASTRA is the Federal Roads Office, which has established clear guidelines for the approval of light motorcycles such as electric scooters and e-bikes.
The ASTRA requirements for e-bikes, e-scooters & electric scooters in brief
If you want to use your e-scooter or e-bike in Switzerland, the vehicle must meet the ASTRA requirements for light motorized bicycles. If it meets these requirements, it is automatically approved for Swiss road traffic. A road approval in the form of a certificate or ID is not issued, nor is type approval required.
Your e-bike or e-scooter must meet these requirements to be approved for road traffic:
Power and maximum speed
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500 watt motor
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Maximum speed (20 km/h, 25 km/h with pedal assistance)
Lighting
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Rear light & front light
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Turn signals are allowed if they have a minimum distance of 24 cm at the front and/or 18 cm at the rear
Brakes
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Brakes on both wheels (one of which must be a disc brake)
Vehicle weight
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Max. 200 kg
Where is it allowed to be ridden?
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Riding is only allowed on areas designated for vehicle and bicycle traffic, i.e., on the road or bike path. Riding on the sidewalk is prohibited.
Fast e-bikes and electric scooters
For fast e-bikes (pedelecs) and electric scooters, additional requirements apply. If these have a design-related top speed of 25-30 km/h, pedal assistance of up to 25 km/h-45 km/h, or a power output between 500 and 1000 watts, they are classified as mopeds and must therefore be type-approved. This means that such a vehicle is thoroughly inspected by the competent authority. If it meets all requirements, this vehicle type receives approval (type approval) and is thus authorized for Swiss road traffic. The vehicle buyer receives a vehicle registration certificate when purchasing their vehicle, with which they can apply for a yellow moped control plate and a moped vignette. This must be renewed annually and includes liability insurance. Unlike slow e-bikes and e-scooters, helmets are mandatory on Swiss roads.
(Although it is possible for a private person to apply for type approval for a single vehicle and thus obtain Swiss road approval, this is associated with costs of up to tens of thousands of francs.)
What is the meaning of the design maximum speed and the maximum speed with pedal assistance?
Decisive for Swiss road approval are the design speed and the maximum speed with pedal assistance. The design maximum speed is the maximum speed the vehicle can reach in pure electric operation on a flat, straight road. Thus, electric vehicles without a throttle button or throttle grip have a design maximum speed of 20 km/h. There is an unspoken tolerance up to 25 km/h. For electric vehicles like e-bikes, maximum speeds with pedal assistance apply. This means the electric motor provides additional pedal assistance – but only up to a specified speed. Motor and muscle power work together.
Who is allowed to ride e-scooters and e-bikes?
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Anyone who wants to ride an electric scooter in Switzerland must be at least 14 years old. This is the basic requirement for using a lightly motorized bicycle such as a slow e-bike or e-scooter.
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From 14 to 16 years old, a moped license is required (license G or M).
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From the age of 16, young people no longer need a driver's license.
There is no helmet requirement. However, manufacturers and experts equally recommend wearing a helmet.
Do e-scooters and similar vehicles need to be insured?
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For light motorcycles, i.e., electric scooters and e-bikes with a maximum speed of 20 or 25 km/h, there is no insurance obligation.
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If you have taken out private liability insurance, it covers damages and accidents like a normal bicycle.
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S-Pedelecs, fast e-bikes, and electric scooters require insurance. Liability is covered by the moped vignette, which must be renewed annually.
Which vehicles does TWHEELS sell?
TWHEELS exclusively sells electric vehicles that meet the extensive requirements of ASTRA & which can be driven without a driver's license, additional insurance & at a maximum speed of 25 km/h.
Here you can find the TWHEELS e-bikes and e-scooters - all with Swiss road approval.
