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Cycling rules nobody tells you about

Tomasz Nowak ⭐ Helpful member
10 Aug 2026, 16:42

netherlands, month six on a bike. things nobody told me: the bell is for communication, not politeness. hand signals are expected, not optional. you can get a fine for cycling without lights, and the police do check. and the bike lane has its own traffic lights, which i ignored for two weeks before someone shouted at me.

what cycling rules caught you out where you live?

8 replies

Anna Kowalski 🏆 Community expert
10 Aug 2026, 20:35

Ireland: cycle lanes that end suddenly in the middle of a road, with no warning and a bus behind you.

Oliver Brandt ⭐ Helpful member
11 Aug 2026, 14:39

Sweden in winter was my lesson. Studded tyres are a thing, and the first icy morning without them I learned why. Also, cyclists here stop at red lights and wait patiently, even at 6am on an empty road, and a German who doesn't is noticed immediately.

Tomasz Nowak ⭐ Helpful member
12 Aug 2026, 16:22

oliver, the waiting at red at 6am thing is the same here. i've started doing it and it feels very adult

Paolo Bianchi ⭐ Helpful member
14 Aug 2026, 20:30

In Ireland I wear the helmet and the high-visibility vest, and I still get closer passes than I'd like.

Grace Kim 🏆 Community expert
16 Aug 2026, 07:36

Bikes on the pavement are a serious offence in France, as I found out from a very disappointed policeman.

Elena Popescu 🏆 Community expert
18 Aug 2026, 11:41

My daughter learned the hand signals at school here and now corrects mine from the back seat of the bike.

Jimmy 🏆 Community expert Admin Premium
20 Aug 2026, 09:45

Good list, Tomasz. The Transport section of each guide covers cycling rules where they differ significantly from other countries, such as lights, helmets and where you're allowed to ride, for example the Transport section for the Netherlands.

Tomasz Nowak ⭐ Helpful member
23 Aug 2026, 08:01

update: got the fine for the lights anyway. lesson learned