What applies to motorists on cycle paths?
Different rules apply
Created: 04/26/2022Updated: 04/26/2022 07:13
By: Dominik Jahn
Motorists now have to react to different cycle lanes.
In two cases, particularly strict rules apply.
Road traffic demands a lot of attention from drivers.
In doing so, some always reach their limits.
As
echo24.de
* reported, numerous traffic signs are often unknown.
Like the black and white dot in city centers*.
There are also signs where the use is not clear - such as the green arrow at the traffic light*.
And motorists also have problems with the cycle paths again and again.
According to the General German Automobile Club (ADAC), around 372 cyclists died in traffic accidents in Germany in 2021.
Motorists need to familiarize themselves with more different bike lanes.
The rules for the cycle paths are all quite different.
Protective strips for cyclists: drivers face a point in Flensburg
In most cases, car drivers in German cities now encounter the protective lane for cyclists.
According to the ADAC, this is
"marked by a broken white guideline"
.
The rule for drivers here is that they are only allowed to cross the guideline in absolutely exceptional cases.
According to the Automobile Club, an exception applies if the driver has to give way at short notice and no cyclist is endangered.
What is not possible: Parking on the protective strip is completely forbidden.
If you get caught by the police, you can count on a point in Flensburg.
According to
bussgeldkatalog.de
, however, stopping for a maximum of three minutes is permitted.
Parking on cycle paths and cycle expressways | fine and points |
---|---|
Someone was obstructed | 70 euros, one point |
More than an hour and someone got disabled | 80 euros, one point |
More than an hour and an accident was caused | 100 euros, one point |
Motorists have lost nothing on cycle lanes
If the line is completely drawn through, then motorists are dealing with a cycle lane.
And on this solid white line,
"motorists are not allowed to swerve, park or stop"
.
As the traffic experts explain, the cycle lanes may only be crossed in order to
“reach the parking spaces behind them”
.
However, cyclists must not be hindered or endangered.
Motorists are only tolerated on bicycle lanes
The so-called bicycle lanes are something that motorists all over Germany have to deal with more and more frequently.
As a rule, only bicycles and e-scooters are allowed to drive here.
Additional signs may also allow cars to drive there.
The maximum speed is 30 km/h.
According to the Road Traffic Act (StVO), the following applies to drivers:
“If cars and/or motorcycles are permitted, they must neither impede nor endanger bicycle traffic.
So you are not allowed to jostle when cyclists are riding next to each other – which is expressly permitted here”
.
The entire lane width is reserved for bicycle traffic.
If there is no extra sign, then cars and motorbikes are allowed to park on these streets.
The right of way is the right of way for all traffic participants.
According to the ADAC, the
“priority is not regulated by signs, applies to everyone right before left.
However, the right of way can also be given to bicycle traffic if the sidewalk of the bicycle street runs uninterruptedly over the adjoining roadway or if the curbs are lowered
”.
Neuland bicycle zones: Since 2020, drivers have had to deal with them
Only since 2020 has there been a bicycle zone on the road.
Motorists expect the same regulations here as for a bicycle lane - just extended to the entire zone.
According to the StVO:
“In bicycle zones, the rule is “right before left”.
Cyclists, light electric vehicles and other authorized vehicles may not drive more than 30 km/h in bicycle zones.
Cyclists and light electric vehicles are allowed to ride next to each other in bicycle zones"
.
An additional sign makes it clear whether motorists are also allowed to drive into a bicycle zone.
In general, all other vehicles, apart from bicycles and small electric vehicles, have to be specifically approved for these roads.
Further exception signs to which motorists must pay attention
A similar special regulation already exists with the green arrow at the traffic lights, which is not intended for drivers as usual if it is not intended for drivers*.
Or the round traffic sign, with a red border - inside the circle there is a red car on the left and a bicycle and a moped* on the right.
*
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