Kids on bikes

Question

Is my 10-year-old allowed to ride their bike alone on the streets?

Answer

Not without a "licence". (As one person wrote, "Welcome to Austria", but the intention is to keep kids safe on the roads.)

The law is that a child under 12 years old is not allowed to ride their bike alone on the streets unless they have done their cycling test. They should then proudly carry their "licence" or attach the little red and white pennant they receive to their bike.

Young kids do get stopped by the police (my daughter has been) and asked to show their licence. Cycling tests are organised by primary schools in the spring for their 4th class pupils (link).

The Red Cross have made a website to prepare kids for their cycling test.

One group member has commented:

I'm so impressed by how the police do this. They run it near our kindergarten and they start out teaching the kids who don't have bikes how to ride them. Then they are out there in every weather all morning patiently helping them practice their circuits. I've had to make sure I'm cycling properly as there are often 3 or 4 police on my route!!

The bike test route

There is an official course in Maxglan. Parents are recommended to visit it several times with their kids (on bikes) to practice the route. In my experience drivers in the area are very patient of the many kids who cycle there.

Helmets

Children under 12 must wear a helmet, both when they are cycling and when they are being transported by a parent. This also applies to kids who are travelling in a bike trailer.

Parents cycling with children

If two parents are accompanying cycling children, it is recommended that the parents are front and back of the group.

If only one parent is cycling it is generally better for the parent to be behind and slightly to the left (towards the middle of the road) of the child. However on busier roads the adult is advised to lead the way.

Links

• Salzburg city website: https://www.stadt-salzburg.at/formulare/behoerdengaenge-fahrrad/radfahrausweis-nach-verlust-beantragen/

• The city also produces a very informative website: salzburgrad.at: https://www.salzburgrad.at/service-tipps/rad-kind/

• Radfahrprufung.at: https://www.radfahrprüfung.at

• Freiwillige Radfahrprüfung (voluntary bike test) information: https://www.salzburgrad.at/service-tipps/rad-kind/freiwillige-radfahrpruefung/