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Bike racks: what the law says
What the law says.
In Luxembourg
Dimensions
In Luxembourg, the Highway Code stipulates that bike racks must not extend more than 20 cm beyond the sides of the vehicle. The total load must not exceed 4 m in length, 2.5m in width and 4 m in height, including bicycles.
Lighting and registration
If the number plate and lights are obscured, they must be duplicated on the bike rack. This must be fitted with a complete set of lights: position lights, indicators, stop lights, number plate light and reflectors.
Signalling
If the load (in this case, the bike rack with or without bicycles) extends more than 1 metre beyond the rear of the vehicle, this must be indicated by a square sign at least 50 cm square, with alternating red and white reflective diagonal stripes (V20 sign), placed at the end of the load. At night or when visibility is reduced, this sign must be supplemented by a fixed red light visible from at least 100 metres away.
In France
Dimensions
The total width of the vehicle, including the bike rack and bicycles, must not exceed 255 centimetres. If the bike rack extends more than 20 centimetres beyond each side of the vehicle, white lights pointing forwards must be fitted. Red reflectors are required at the rear, as well as any additional lighting.
Lighting and registration
The vehicle’s number plate and lights must remain fully visible. If this is not the case, an additional set of lights and a number plate must be fitted to the bike rack.
Signalling
If your bike rack extends more than one metre beyond the rear of the vehicle, it must be marked with a reflective sign (minimum 30 x 30 cm) with red and white stripes. At night or when visibility is poor, this sign must be supplemented by a fixed red light visible from at least 150 metres away.
In Germany
Dimensions
The total width of the vehicle, including the bike rack and bicycles, must not exceed 2.55 metres.
Lighting and registration
If the rear lights or number plate are obscured by the bike rack, they must be duplicated at the rear of the rack.
Signalling
If the load extends more than one metre beyond the rear of the vehicle, it must be marked with a reflective red and white sign, minimum 50 x 50 cm. At night or when visibility is poor, this sign must be supplemented by a fixed red light visible from at least 100 metres away.
In Belgium
Dimensions
The total width of the vehicle, including the bike rack and bicycles, must not exceed 2.55 metres.
Lighting and registration
If the rear lights or number plate are obscured by the bike rack, they should be duplicated at the rear of the rack.
The lights to be duplicated are: position lights, stop lights, indicators, number plate light and reflector.
Signalling
If the load extends more than 1 metre beyond the rear of the vehicle, this must be indicated by a square sign at least 50 cm square, with alternating red and white reflective diagonal stripes. At night or when visibility is poor, this sign must be replaced by a fixed red light visible from at least 100 metres away.
In the Netherlands
Dimensions
The total width of the vehicle, including the bike rack and bicycles, must not exceed 2.55 metres.
Lighting and registration
If the rear lights or number plate are obscured by the rack, they must be duplicated at the rear of the rack. The lights to be duplicated are: position lights, stop lights, indicators, number plate light and reflector.
Signalling
If the load extends more than 1 metre beyond the rear of the vehicle, this must be indicated by a square sign of 50 cm square, with alternating red and white reflective diagonal stripes. At night or when visibility is reduced, this sign must be supplemented by a fixed red light visible from at least 50 metres away.
In Italy
Dimensions
The total width of the vehicle, including the bike rack and bicycles, must not exceed 2.55 metres.
Lighting and registration
If the rear lights or number plate are obscured by the rack, they must be duplicated at the rear of the rack.
Signalling
Any bike rack fitted to the rear of a vehicle must be equipped with a warning sign, whether it is loaded or not. The sign must be a square, at least 50 cm square, with five alternating red and white reflective diagonal stripes (V20).
Regional variations
It is important to note that the rules may vary from one region of Italy to another, as local authorities may apply stricter rules.
In Spain
Dimensions
The total width of the vehicle, including the bike rack and bicycles, must not exceed 2.55 metres.
Lighting and registration
If the rear lights or number plate are obscured by the rack, they must be duplicated at the rear of the rack (position lights, stop lights, indicators, number plate light and reflector).
Signalling
A specific sign (V20), different from that used elsewhere in Europe, is compulsory at the rear of the vehicle when the bicycles exceed the vehicle’s overall dimensions. It must be made of metal (plastic is forbidden) and have three diagonal red and white stripes. Make sure it is visible from the rear and both sides of the vehicle. If necessary, get a second panel.
Regional variations
It is important to note that the rules may vary from one region of Spain to another, as stricter rules may be applied.
In Portugal
Dimensions
The total width of the vehicle, including the bike rack and bicycles, must not exceed 2.55 metres.
Lighting and registration
If the rear lights or number plate are obscured by the rack, they must be duplicated at the rear of the rack (position lights, stop lights, indicators, number plate light and reflector).
Signalling
If the load extends more than 45 cm beyond the rear of the vehicle, this must be indicated by a square sign of 50 cm square, with alternating red and white reflective diagonal stripes. At night or when visibility is reduced, this sign must be supplemented by a fixed red light visible from at least 100 metres away.
In Switzerland
Dimensions
The total width of the vehicle, including the bike rack and bicycles, must not exceed 2.55 metres.
Lighting and registration
If the rear lights or number plate are obscured by the rack, they must be duplicated at the rear of the rack (position lights, stop lights, indicators, number plate light and reflector).
Signalling
If the load extends more than 1 metre beyond the rear of the vehicle, this must be indicated by a square sign of 40 cm square minimum, with alternating red and white reflective diagonal stripes. At night or when visibility is reduced, this sign must be supplemented by a fixed red light visible from at least 100 metres away.
Discover our article about the bick ricks rules in Luxembourg and Europe.
