Federal government allows indicators on bicycles – what will change?
January 24, 2024
As the Rheinische Post reported at the beginning of the year, the Ministry of Transport in Germany announced that it was working on an amendment to the road traffic regulations.
Overall, it is the opinion that active lighting on the bicycle increases visibility, that indicators increase the stability of the bicycle when turning and that the StVO should be brought up to speed with regard to electrical solutions for safety.
Why are indicators on bicycles now allowed?
The change in the StVO for more indicators on bicycles has three main reasons:
- Reduction in bicycle accidents
- Increasing the visibility of female cyclists
- Increase stability on small vehicles
Indicators on bicycles reduce accidents
Experts expect indicators on all bicycles to reduce the number of accidents that occur in Germany year after year. In 2022 alone , more than 97,000 accidents involving bicycles occurred in Germany, with almost 500 people having fatal accidents. This is the result of surveys by TÜV.
More visibility thanks to indicators when turning
Turning to the left is particularly dangerous because cyclists are overlooked by oncoming traffic. The hand signal is simply not enough to be seen in traffic. Active lighting at driver’s eye level increases visibility when turning. It is important that the indicators are visible from every direction and cannot be covered by a backpack or jacket. Flasher is worn on the upper arm and shines 360° to achieve exactly this visibility.
But even when turning right, indicators are simply easier to recognize than the classic hand signal. This is particularly true in the dark and poor visibility, but also during the day.
More stability on bicycles and e-scooters
Turn signals have another crucial advantage: they make cycling more stable . A spokeswoman for the ADAC noted that giving hand signals is often difficult, especially for older people, because one hand has to be taken off the handlebars. However, the same topic also affects children or people with disabilities. It is often enough that the bicycle is heavily loaded, such as cargo bikes, or that high speeds are being driven, such as on e-bikes: The statutory accident insurance institute in Austria has found that bicycle couriers most often have accidents due to high speed, which impairs stability.
But not all indicators are the same: if you first have to move your hand to a switch or press a button at the end of the handlebars, you won't gain any safety from using the indicator. You can activate Flasher using gestures without having to move your hand a millimeter.
What exactly is allowed from now on?
Specifically, it should be introduced that all bicycles may be equipped with direction indicators in the future. This change could possibly occur as early as January 2024. It is important that this does not create an obligation to mount indicators permanently on the bike. They remain optional, but the value of turn signals is clear.
However, you can already use the flasher because it doesn't have to be installed on the vehicle. This saves you time-consuming and expensive retrofitting and allows you to use any vehicle with an indicator - whether it's a bicycle, cargo bike, e-scooter, pedelec or similar.
What was the legal situation before?
Previously, direction indicators were only allowed to be mounted on multi-lane bicycles or bicycles with trailers.
However, flashers that are worn on the body have already been permitted. The bangles have the additional advantage of being illuminated at the furthest points of the upper body for maximum visibility.
By the way, it is noteworthy that direction indicators have always been allowed to be installed on e-scooters.
Why should I rely on Flasher now?
What we at Flasher have known for a long time is now being implemented in Germany:
Additional lighting massively increases visibility in traffic. The hand signal causes immense instability - especially at high speeds, with heavy loads or when there is a lack of balance. And as Stafen Gelbhaar, transport policy spokesman for the Green Party parliamentary group, rightly says: standard road wheels are too narrow for indicators, so that the direction indicator can hardly be noticed.
Flasher is a smart indicator for e-scooters and bicycles that makes your rides even safer. The gesture-controlled turn signal ensures that you can always keep your hands on the handlebars. The automatic emergency brake light makes you super visible in the event of an emergency stop. Flasher is also worn at the driver's eye level and is placed at the furthest point of the body so that it is clearly visible from any direction .
Our warehouse is currently full to the brim and your flasher set will be with you a few days after ordering.
Now is the perfect moment to make your journeys even safer.
Flasher Duo
The smartest bicycle and e-scooter lights in the world:
- Gesture control turn signal indicators
- 4 modes with ultra-bright 360° LEDs
- Automatic emergency brake lights
- Compliant with road regulations & water-resistant
- Additional features via Flasher app [optional]