Cycling to work is good for your health and the environment. Commuting to CERN by bike has been on the rise over the past years. As we enter the darker and colder months of the year, it is important to adapt and take additional precautionary measures when hitting the road.
Did you know that, in France, wearing a safety vest is mandatory when cycling at night and when visibility is poor (due to fog, for example) outside urban areas? Wherever you live, as a cyclist, it is essential to be visible at all times by wearing high-visibility clothing and fitting out your bike with lights and reflectors.
Whatever the season, it is strongly recommended to wear a helmet. For e-bikes that have a pedal assistance of 25 km/h or more, Swiss traffic regulations make helmet-wearing mandatory. Remember that as a cyclist, you are subject to the same traffic rules as any other vehicle. Respect other road users’ priority at crossroads and remain wary of other vehicles’ blind spots.
Vigilance and focus are key for road safety. For that reason, wearing earphones and headphones while riding a bike is forbidden in Switzerland and France.
CERN offers an e-learning module on bike safety with useful information on regulations and good practices. Taking the course is mandatory for anyone renting a CERN bike, and strongly recommended to anyone cycling on the Organization’s premises.
If, despite observing the recommended practices, you are victim of an accident or a near miss, or if you encounter a dangerous situation on the CERN site, please do not forget to complete an incident declaration. These reports are used to improve safety at CERN, including road safety. By reporting an incident, you are helping to prevent similar occurrences and thus reduce the accident toll.
Stay safe.
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