How to make your bike roadworthy: All info

There is a lot of confusion about when a bicycle really meets the requirements of the road traffic regulations. This would like to eliminate our guide. Read about when a bicycle is StVo-compliant.

Compliant or not? The StVo gives some clear points.

The Highway Code also affects bicycles. Alone for reasons of their own safety, it is important to be familiar with the topic when buying a bike (and afterwards).

These criteria must be met by a StVo-compliant bike

The idea of most people regarding the StVo suitability is not wrong, but incomplete. Officially, namely, some details are mandatory, but are often considered voluntary and optional.

• It is known that a bicycle must have two functioning brakes (front and rear). For this reason, so-called fixies basically fall out, even if they are often seen on the roads - it is actually not allowed.
• In the dark, lighting is mandatory, and front and rear. This is also no secret, but since 2017 battery-powered lamps are also allowed and these do not necessarily have to be attached during the day.
• It becomes critical with the reflectors: these are mandatory, both on the pedals (front and rear) and in the spokes. Many bike owners misjudge this point, which can become a problem in a police check.

After all: Overall, it is not too costly to equip a bike StVo-suitable. Intact brakes should be present anyway, the remaining products are neither expensive nor complicated to install. If you need to retrofit spoke reflectors, for example, this is possible for really small money.