Guide · Switzerland
E-bike regulations in Switzerland: rules for slow, fast and heavy e-bikes
What applies to your e-bike: driving licence, helmet or number plate? Here you will find the answers, clearly explained.
In brief
In Switzerland, all e-bikes are legally classed as motorised bicycles. The law distinguishes three categories: slow e-bikes (up to 25 km/h, no number plate, no driving licence needed from the age of 16), fast e-bikes (pedal assistance up to 45 km/h, with number plate, driving licence and compulsory helmet) and, since 1 July 2025, heavy cargo e-bikes (up to 25 km/h, up to 450 kg total weight).
Which rules apply to you therefore depends on the category of your e-bike. The table below shows all the differences at a glance.
The three e-bike categories in Switzerland
Legally, every e-bike counts as a “motorised bicycle” under Art. 18 of the Ordinance on the Technical Requirements for Road Vehicles (VTS). Within this group there are three variants:
Slow e-bikes
Light motorised bicycles (Art. 18 let. b no. 1 VTS)
- Maximum 500 W motor power
- Electric drive up to a maximum of 25 km/h
- Total weight of no more than 250 kg (including load)
Fast e-bikes
Fast motorised bicycles (Art. 18 let. a no. 2 VTS)
- Maximum 1000 W motor power
- Electric drive up to 30 km/h, pedal assistance up to 45 km/h
- Single-seat and single-track (no three-wheeled cargo e-bikes)
- Total weight of no more than 200 kg (including load)
Heavy cargo e-bikes
Heavy motorised bicycles (Art. 18 let. e VTS)
- Maximum 2000 W motor power
- Electric drive up to a maximum of 25 km/h
- Total weight of no more than 450 kg (including load)
- For carrying loads and passengers
How to find your e-bike's category: What counts is motor power, maximum speed and total weight. You will find this information in the data sheet or, for fast and heavy e-bikes, in the vehicle registration document. If you are unsure, the road traffic office of your canton can help.
The rules compared
This table summarises the most important rules. On small screens you can scroll the table sideways.
| Feature | Slow e-bike | Fast e-bike | Heavy cargo e-bike |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal designation | Light motorised bicycle | Fast motorised bicycle | Heavy motorised bicycle |
| Motor power | up to 500 W | up to 1000 W | up to 2000 W |
| Maximum speed | 25 km/h | 30 km/h with electric drive, 45 km/h with pedal assistance | 25 km/h |
| Total weight (including load) | up to 250 kg | up to 200 kg | up to 450 kg |
| Minimum age | 14 years | 14 years | 14 years |
| Driving licence | not needed from age 16; category M at ages 14 and 15 | at least category M, for all ages | at least category M, for all ages |
| Number plate and vehicle registration document | not needed | required | required |
| Cycle helmet | not compulsory, recommended | compulsory (EN 1078 standard), including for children in a child seat | not compulsory, recommended |
| Daytime running light | Compulsory | Compulsory | Compulsory |
| Speedometer requirement | no | yes, since 1 April 2024 for e-bikes newly put into circulation; retrofitting by 1 April 2027 | no |
| Children | maximum of four, in protected seats | maximum of three (two in the trailer, one in the child seat) | number of seats depends on the payload; plus two children in the trailer if the e-bike itself has no more than two seats |
| “Bicycle” sign | applies | applies | applies |
| “Motorised bicycle” sign | does not apply | applies | applies |
Source: BFU, “What does the law say about e-bikes?” (in German). This overview does not replace legal advice; the legal texts (VTS, VZV, VRV, SSV) are authoritative.
Pedelec, S-pedelec, e-bike: the terms
In everyday use and among manufacturers, the terms are often used interchangeably. The law does not use them in this way. This translation will help you find your bearings:
- Pedelec (short for “pedal electric cycle”): a bike on which the motor assists you while pedalling, usually up to 25 km/h. Legally, this is generally a slow e-bike.
- S-pedelec (speed pedelec): assists your pedalling up to 45 km/h. Legally, this is a fast e-bike.
- E-bike: in everyday use often the umbrella term for all bikes with a motor. In Swiss law, “e-bike” refers to all three categories; they all count as motorised bicycles.
You will find more about the terms, and about which model suits you, in the article Difference between pedelec, S-pedelec and e-bike. The rules in Germany differ and are set out on a separate page: E-bike regulations and rules in Germany.
Age, driving licence, helmet and number plate
Minimum age and driving licence
The minimum age for riding e-bikes is 14 years. You may ride slow e-bikes without a driving licence from your 16th birthday. Anyone younger, or riding another type of e-bike, needs at least a category M driving licence. For fast and heavy e-bikes, this applies to all ages.
Number plate and vehicle registration document
Fast and heavy e-bikes need a number plate and a vehicle registration document. Slow e-bikes need neither a number plate nor a vehicle registration document. For slow e-bikes, liability in the event of an accident is often covered by private liability insurance. It is best to check with your insurer.
Cycle helmet
On fast e-bikes, a cycle helmet tested to the EN 1078 standard is compulsory. This also applies to a child in a child seat. There is no helmet requirement on slow e-bikes and heavy cargo e-bikes. The BFU nevertheless recommends always wearing a helmet, including for children in the trailer.
Lights and speedometer
All e-bikes must be equipped with a daytime running light. For fast e-bikes, a speedometer requirement has applied since 1 April 2024 to newly registered vehicles. The speedometer must be in your field of view while riding, and the maximum speeds apply in 20 and 30 km/h zones. Fast e-bikes already in circulation must be retrofitted by 1 April 2027.
Cycle paths, signs and pavements
E-bikes must comply with the rules for bicycles. You must therefore use cycle lanes and signposted cycle paths. New rules on signage have applied since 1 July 2025:
- “Bicycle” sign: applies to bicycles and to all categories of e-bike (slow, fast and heavy).
- “Motorised bicycle” sign: applies to fast and heavy e-bikes.
- “Motorised bicycles optional” supplementary plate: riders of fast and heavy e-bikes do not have to use the cycle path. They can decide for themselves whether to use the cycle path or the adjacent carriageway.
- “Motorised bicycles prohibited” supplementary plate: you may not ride the path on fast and heavy e-bikes, even with the motor switched off.
Pavement: Fast and heavy e-bikes may not, as a rule, be ridden on pavements, even with the motor switched off. On shared foot and cycle paths, or footpaths with the addition “Bicycles permitted”, use is allowed where this is expressly signposted. Cantons and municipalities can decide whether fast and heavy vehicles must use cycle paths.
The Federal Roads Office (FEDRO/ASTRA) has compiled an overview of the meaning of the signs: Overview table of the meaning of cycle traffic signage (PDF, FEDRO/ASTRA, in German).
Carrying children on an e-bike
How many children you may take with you depends on the category. The children must sit in so-called protected seats, that is, in a bicycle trailer, a child seat or, on cargo e-bikes, in the seats provided.
Slow e-bikes: up to four children
Since 1 July 2025, a maximum of four children may be carried on slow e-bikes. On cargo e-bikes, trailers are only permitted if the cargo e-bike itself has no more than two seats. Possible combinations include:
- one child in the child seat and two in the trailer
- one child in the child seat and three in seats in the cargo box
- one child in a seat in the cargo box and two in the trailer
- two children on additional seats on the e-bike
Fast e-bikes: up to three children
On a fast e-bike, a maximum of three children can be carried: two in the bicycle trailer and one in the child seat. The helmet requirement applies to the child in the child seat.
Heavy cargo e-bikes: seats according to payload
The number of seats for adults and children depends on the payload. In addition to the seats on the e-bike, two children can be carried in the trailer, provided the e-bike itself has no more than two seats.
Cargo e-bikes: light or heavy
Depending on the design, cargo e-bikes for carrying loads and passengers belong either to the slow e-bikes (light motorised bicycles, up to 250 kg) or to the heavy motorised bicycles (up to 450 kg). Cargo e-bikes placed on the market before 1 July 2025 generally belong to the slow e-bikes, as heavier models were not yet approved.
For businesses, municipalities and families, this means: before buying, check which category a model is assigned to, what its permitted total weight is and how many seats it has. If you have questions about XCYC cargo e-bikes, the YouMo team will be happy to advise you.
What changed on 1 July 2025?
To harmonise the rules for slow traffic and increase road safety, the Confederation amended various regulations on 1 July 2025. The key points at a glance, with more background in the article New rules for cargo e-bikes in Switzerland:
- 1 July 2025: new categoryThere is now a sub-category of “heavy motorised bicycles” for heavy cargo e-bikes carrying loads and passengers (up to 2000 W, 25 km/h, 450 kg).
- 1 July 2025: weight and childrenSlow e-bikes may weigh up to 250 kg. They may be used to carry up to four children in protected seats.
- 1 July 2025: signageThe “Bicycle” sign covers all e-bike categories, the “Motorised bicycle” sign covers fast and heavy e-bikes. There are now also the supplementary plates “Motorised bicycles optional” and “Motorised bicycles prohibited”, with the consequences described above.
Frequently asked questions about e-bike regulations in Switzerland
We answer further general questions about YouMo e-bikes in our Support & FAQ.
Which e-bike categories are there in Switzerland?
Swiss law treats all e-bikes as motorised bicycles and distinguishes three categories: slow e-bikes (light motorised bicycles, up to 25 km/h, up to 500 W, up to 250 kg), fast e-bikes (pedal assistance up to 45 km/h, up to 1000 W, up to 200 kg) and heavy cargo e-bikes (up to 25 km/h, up to 2000 W, up to 450 kg).
Do I need a driving licence for an e-bike?
For slow e-bikes you do not need a driving licence from your 16th birthday. Anyone younger needs at least category M. For fast and heavy e-bikes, at least a category M driving licence is required, including for adults.
What is the minimum age for riding an e-bike?
The minimum age for riding e-bikes is 14 years.
Is there a helmet requirement for e-bikes?
On fast e-bikes, a cycle helmet tested to EN 1078 is compulsory, including for a child in a child seat. There is no helmet requirement on slow e-bikes and heavy cargo e-bikes, but a helmet is recommended.
Does my e-bike need a number plate?
Fast and heavy e-bikes need a number plate and a vehicle registration document. Slow e-bikes need neither a number plate nor a vehicle registration document.
How many children may I carry on an e-bike?
Since 1 July 2025, a maximum of four children may be carried in protected seats on slow e-bikes. On a fast e-bike the maximum is three children (two in the trailer and one in the child seat). On heavy cargo e-bikes, the number of seats depends on the payload.
What changed on 1 July 2025?
There is now a category of heavy motorised bicycles for cargo e-bikes up to 450 kg. Slow e-bikes may weigh up to 250 kg and may be used to carry up to four children. New signage rules also apply: the “Bicycle” sign covers all e-bike categories, the “Motorised bicycle” sign covers fast and heavy e-bikes.
May fast and heavy e-bikes be ridden on the pavement?
No. Fast and heavy e-bikes may not, as a rule, be ridden on pavements, even with the motor switched off. Exceptions apply where expressly signposted, for example with “Bicycles permitted”.
Do I have to ride with lights on during the day?
Yes. All e-bikes must be equipped with a daytime running light.
May I ride an e-bike with a throttle grip?
Yes, an e-bike with a throttle grip or throttle lever also counts as a motorised bicycle. The rules that apply depend on power, maximum speed and weight. If in doubt, the road traffic office of your canton will clarify whether your model is approved.
Find the right e-bike
Not sure which category suits you, your family or your business? We advise you on cargo e-bikes, pedelecs and S-pedelecs and explain what you need to consider when buying. Want to try one first? Rent an e-bike or book a test ride, or find out about Financing & Leasing.
Further guides
Sources
Last checked: 28 September 2026. The rules may change. This page does not replace legal advice. The legal texts and the information from your road traffic office are authoritative.
- BFU, What does the law say about e-bikes? (categories, age, driving licence, number plate, helmet, signage, carrying children; in German)
- FEDRO (ASTRA), Overview table of the meaning of cycle traffic signage (in German)
- SRF, E-bikes and cargo bikes: these new rules apply from July 2025 (pavements, paths, responsibility of cantons and municipalities; in German)
- ch.ch, Rules for bicycles and e-bikes in Switzerland (liability for slow e-bikes; in German)
- Fedlex: VTS, VZV, VRV, SSV, SVG