I'm coming to you with some questions regarding rules how to drive a motorbike during heavy traffic on a highways, in the city and in the tunnels?
Are the motorbikes allowed to use bike lines in the city when there is a traffic?
I know how to drive normally but how to drive (according to the law) in the situations like "stau" on a highway in the city, etc.
I see many motorbikes driving between the cards on a highway when there is a traffic but what will policy do when they see that situation? The same question during the city traffic?
Strictly speaking, motorbikes are not allowed to "filter" or "split lanes", but many do so in practice. Also the cycling lanes are not allowed for motorbikes, although some of them are OK for "MoFa"s which really means any sub 50cc bike. Many riders of scooters above this size seem to think they're allowed to use them too, but that is not the case.
I rode (large capacity) motorbikes here for many years, and the effect on me of the no-filter rule was that I'd just be very careful to look out for police when filtering, and not put myself in obvious positions like in front of the line of cars at a traffic light. Common sense really.
(But then again I apply the same logic to lots of other road rules, like coming to a complete stop at a Stop sign, which I will do only if I think it's necessary or there's a likelihood of being observed . So I'm not suggesting that you should do the same.)
Don't use cycle lanes - undertaking on the inside/RHS is just dangerous - only exception being if there is a vehicle turning left.
Discreet filtering/splitting traffic is acceptable (but not officially allowed, I believe), but for long lines, especially if slow moving and not stationary, a high level of concentration and vigilance is required for dickheads, who think that the other lane is quicker, and they suddenly switch.
I always try to pick up clues by looking in the mirrors of cars I'm about to pass, for any tell-tale signs.
In Zurich they'll have a clampdown on it around now - as people start using their motorbikes more frequently.
Last week I witnessed a number of bikes weaving around before stopping and shuffling into "normal" traffic 1 car behind a Police car. I suspect before summer is out there will be at least 1 fatality at the Burklibrucke roadworks at the point where cars filter in.
As others have mentioned filtering in long stationary queues is OK, and any fines it attracts would be merely administrative and relatively low. The big no-no is crossing solid lines, irrespective of whether it is between lanes or at the edge of the road. E.g. if you are on a highway and there is a traffic jam, you can filter between the two lanes (provided overtaking is allowed there), but not on either extreme side with the solid line. Doing so will net you a fairly hefty fine, just like crossing any solid line would.
Last year I saw a copper watching an intersection not far from Bellevue (Zurich) where bikes (motorised or not) were being pulled over for filtering through the last 5 or so meters of solid line before the lights.
As long as you are sensible and don't do daft things, you'll be OK.
So from what you are saying when on a highway and there is a traffic (in a slow move) I can filter and in the city it's better to stop when the solid line is starting before lights?
In that case it's not so bad.... what about the tunnels where there is a solid line on both sides and plenty of space to overtake so I guess the better choice is to overtake on the left hand side?
It's Canton dependant, in Geneva the police tolerate motorbikes using bus lanes & overtaking a line of cars waiting at traffic lights, barging in at the front
It is usually tolerated in the cities too (still technically against the rules though) provided you are not crossing solid lines. Also, don't do it if traffic is moving at more than 30-40 kph since then it becomes a bit hairy. In standing traffic, cars often actually make room for you to filter through.
Think about filtering as overtaking slow traffic. As long as you filter where overtaking is allowed, you can kind of claim that you are in fact legally overtaking.
If you try to overtake on the right, it doesn't matter that you don't physically cross the line, you tried to overtake where it's not allowed and it will be counted as if you crossed a solid line.
But it's almost worth paying 250, when the alternative is being an old leather-clad git, trying to look mean and making loads of noise, revving, whilst sitting at the end of a long line of cars on his Sunday Harley.
What Geneva police *have* been enforcing recently is the license requirements for scooters etc. With a French B license one can ride a scooter up to 125cc if you've had the mandatory training or prior provable experience, but only *in* France. Many (I have no idea of the proportions, maybe even "many" is an exaggeration) scooter riders in Geneva with French plates have technically been riding without the proper license although up until now this has been tolerated.
One of my colleagues was stopped by the police a few weeks ago and was told in no uncertain terms that on his B license he did not have the right to ride his scooter in Switzerland although he managed to avoid a fine. I've seen the police set up checks in the mornings where they stop everything motorized with two wheels, whether ridden correctly or not.
I had once a case (last September) that I was overtaking on the right hand side in the city with a standing traffic and for my mistake I also overtook undercover police car. Then I moved to the left hand side and continued driving.
You can imagine policy guys stopped me and I got nice fine (after 7 months) of 650 CHF....
I learn that on the right hand side you can't overtake even in the city with traffic so now I'm just using left hand side and hope that this will be "allowed" by hunters
Sorry, I am thinking of getting a motorbike in the new year. I know great time to buy, Winter. Are the any clubs in around the Zurich area that I can contact and show me around the city and further? BTW I am look at cruiser bikes, I'm in no hurry.
Heh, I do understand British English stuff. I was just curious to know what exactly he/she meant by show me around as it was combining multiple things in to one contact
The English question was more because of I am look and other inconsistencies. Considering his/her profile says they are from Ireland and English is the primary language