Road traffic act
Built-in cameras do not make a vehicle illegal in any European country, not even in Austria or Switzerland. Retrofitted cameras are another matter: in Baden-Württemberg the state data protection commissioner imposed fines of 1,000 to 2,000 euros on vehicle owners.
A motorcyclist riding in a group of six lost half of his compensation after a collision with a car. The decisive factor was a rule that matters on every ride but is rarely thought about in everyday practice.
Barcelona is doubling the number of advanced stop zones for motorcycles at traffic lights by 2027 and is testing impact protection in the middle of the city for the first time. A look at the UK, France and Germany shows how differently European cities treat the powered two-wheeler.
Austria is overhauling its traffic fines from January 1, 2027. Fines for anonymous penalty notices will then apply at the same level in every federal state and rise by an average of around 50 percent.
South Tyrol’s regional government has banned organized motorsport events on mountain pass roads above 1,600 meters and in protected areas. The ruling takes effect immediately and raises a key question for motorcyclists that the official text doesn’t clearly answer.
Across Europe, cases are piling up where automatic emergency braking systems trigger a full stop without any real obstacle. For motorcyclists riding behind such vehicles, this sudden braking can be life-threatening.
Starting October 1, 2026, new regulations on protective equipment for motorcyclists and on behavior in traffic jams will apply in Spain. The changes affect not only locals but also anyone traveling to Spain by motorcycle.
The European Commission has published a draft that aims to bring the driving licence to the smartphone as a digital document. It regulates format, security and validity as well as sensitive practical questions such as the revocation of the driving entitlement across borders.
A casual remark by Federal Minister of Labor Bärbel Bas on the ARD talk show “Caren Miosga” has reignited a long-standing controversy: Should motorcycles be allowed to filter through stationary traffic? While lane splitting remains illegal in Germany, a petition to the Bundestag is gathering signatures for legalization.
On July 1, 2026, an update to the Road Traffic Act takes effect that criminalizes trading driving penalty points and permits digital parking enforcement. For motorcycle and car drivers, several rules are changing at once.
The B 54 in the Aar Valley is once again at the center of a debate over motorcycle noise and road safety. Two village heads are now calling for the federal road to be closed on weekends, with local motorcyclists to be exempted.
Environmental groups are proposing a nationwide system of noise protection zones with a badge requirement for motorcycles, similar to the well-known environmental badge. At the center is a noise limit of 80 dB(A), whose actual significance depends heavily on how and where measurements are taken.
An international investigation accuses KTM of systematically putting illegal sport enduros on the road. The allegations sound dramatic, but a closer look reveals a significantly more nuanced picture.
Using a phone while driving now costs your license in four French départements. What began as a local initiative in Landes is spreading and also affects motorcyclists.
Two speeding offences on his motorcycle cost former Isle of Man TT rider and TV presenter Guy Martin his driving licence. A court in Loughborough, England, imposed a six-month driving ban and a total fine of £1,329 (approximately €1,550 / $1,720).
A new study by the American College of Surgeons shows that hospital costs for motorcycle crash patients in Michigan increased drastically after the repeal of the universal helmet law. The financial burden falls not only on those affected but also on taxpayers and public insurance programs.
Fuel prices in Germany have reached levels last seen during the 2022 energy crisis. At the start of the 2026 motorcycle season, this hits particularly hard — and relief is not in sight.
The Swiss parliament has approved a new fee targeting foreign vehicles that merely pass through the country. Motorcyclists traveling to Italy would also be affected, whether taking the motorway or an alpine pass.
EU driving licence reform, French speed limit crackdowns, US legislation and international court rulings: All legal and political developments that affect motorcyclists worldwide.
Starting in May 2026, numerous Austrian cities plan to introduce new access restrictions that will be monitored by cameras. The measures also apply to foreign vehicles and could prove costly for tourists.
