Dark scenes after dark: Of 2,414 cyclists statistically recorded at busy intersections in the cities of Solothurn, Lucerne, Zurich, Biel and Basel on several evenings between 8.30 p.m. and 11 p.m. in the second half of August, only 58% had their front and rear lights switched on. 31% roared across roads and junctions completely unlit, while 11% of the bikes only had lights either at the front or rear. "There were three of us on site. One employee was responsible for checking the lights on the front of the bike, one for checking the rear lights and one used a tally sheet to record bikes that were not equipped in accordance with the regulations," says Roland Fuchs, head of the SFZ.

Situation in Zurich particularly blatant
"On the busy Langstrasse in Zurich, only 182 (43%) of the 426 bicycles recorded were riding with full lighting, 205 (48%) had no lights on at all and 39 (9%) only had their front or rear lights on. The situation in the Limmatquai area was a little better - but still hair-raising in terms of the safety of cyclists and other road users," continued Fuchs. At the level of the Rudolf Brun Bridge, 498 cyclists were recorded, 48% with full lights, 41% without lights and 11% with partial lights.

Biel's cyclists are also modestly lit: 39% rode without any lights at all, 11% with front or rear lights only.

Lucerne, Basel and Solothurn: More bike lights, but still too few
The situation in Lucerne, Basel and Solothurn is much better - but still poor compared to the lighting rate for cars. Lucerne cyclists take the top spot in the light hit parade: 74% rode with full light, 15% - i.e. almost one in seven - without light and 11% with partial light. Among cyclists in Basel, 66% pedaled with their lights on, 20% rode without lights and 14% with front or rear lights only.

Good range of bike lights, but careless cyclists
As Fuchs goes on to explain, the SFZ survey showed that bicycles and electric bikes equipped with modern hub dynamos offer the best light output. Bicycles fitted with clip-on LED/battery-powered lights are also good to very good to see in the dark. The SFZ offers this assessment to cyclists heading into the dark season: "The problem of non-existent or inadequate lighting does not lie with the technology or the range of lights, but with the cyclists themselves. Too many of them ride their bikes with inadequate or no lighting at all, whether due to carelessness, lack of concern, laziness or ignorance of the dangers to themselves and others."

The specialist department recommends that all cyclists check their lights periodically and rectify any defects. By doing so, you are making an important contribution to greater road safety.

www.velosuisse.ch