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Old October 11th 03, 05:38 PM
Jim D
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Default Reports from Sweden

Thanks very much for the reply, that is very helpful.

Man, those reflector rules are complicated. Will a policeman actually spend
time trying to figure out when you had reflectors installed on your bicycle?


"Garry Jones" wrote in message
...
Jim D wrote:

Thanks for posting this. I have been looking for some info regarding

cycling
laws in Sweden. Is it true that cyclists there are required to be

registered
and carry third party insurance?


Hi Jim

No.

But we do have an organisation called TFF.

If a cyclist causes a car to swerve off the road then the cyclist is
reponsible for the drivers injuries and damage to the car. The drivers
insurance will be up and claim the money back from the cyclists third
party insurance. If the cyclist has no third party insurance the TFF
will step in and pay costs of up to 5 million krona. (about $US 600
000). Any ammount over this may be claimed from the cyclist himself.
However general practise is that the insurance company does not pursue
this.

Furthermore, if a cyclist is found to be "drunk in charge" of his bike
the courts can rule for a vehicle driving licence ban.

There was a stupid law here from 1972-1978. All cycles* had to be fitted
with lights and reflectos, even in broad daylight. *Child bikes and
bikes equipped for training and racing were exempt.

Some people still think this law is in force.

We still have to have bells, and even professional cyclists racing in
Sweden are required to have bells. (Although no known case of the police
stopping a race have been reported).

As for the Swedish rules on reflectors on bicycles. Bare with me now..

****************************************
All bikes must be equipped with refelctors at rear, front and side when
ridden in the dark.

Front reflectors mounted after 1 sep 1985 must reflect a white beam.
Side reflectors mounted after 1 sep 1985 must relect white or amber.

Reflectors back and front must be of saftey standard ECE-rule 3, class
IV A, or 2. Other saftey types acknowleged by the two main Swedish road
groups are also allowed. However reflectors mounted before 1 April 1986
may be of saftey standard ECE-rules 3 klass I or I A.

Rear reflectors mounted before 1 April 1986 may be of saftey standard
acknowledged by the state testing institute for saftey before 20 May
1980.

However, front reflectors mounted before 1 septemebr 1985 may be of an
unpermitted saftey standard.

Side reflectors must be of at least saftey standard ECE-rule 3, class IV
A, or 2. Other saftey types acknowleged by the two main Swedish road are
also allowed. But side reflectors mounted before 1 september 1985 may be
of an unpermitted saftey standard.

But the demand on side reflectors is invalid if at least one of the
cycles tyres is of a saftey standard ECE rule 88. Besides this side
reflectors mounted before 1 september 1985 may be of a non saftey
standard.

****************************************

The actual law is much longer and more complicated than this outline. It
actually goes into explaining which road groups have set the standards.
Complicated for the police to know if you are telling the truth when
they stop you and ask you when you mounted your reflector. Was it before
or after 1 september 1985?, and if so was it tested before 20 May 1980?

The shape of things to come, just wait for their helmet law.


Garry Jones



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