Can you cycle on the pavement in Sweden?
Who may use the footway on a bicycle, and what the Swedish Police list as a fine.
Short answer
Only children up to and including the year they turn 8 may cycle on a footway in Sweden, and only where there is no cycle path. Everyone else must use the cycle path when there is one. Cycling on the wrong part of the road, for example on a pavement, carries a SEK 500 fine, according to the Swedish Police.
Why
- Transportstyrelsen says children up to and including the year they turn eight may use a footway (gångbana) if there is no cycle path.
- Under chapter 3, section 6 of the traffic ordinance on riksdagen.se, bicycles must be ridden on a cycle path where there is one.
- The Swedish Police list cycling on the wrong part of the road, for example on a pavement, as a SEK 500 fine.
Details
Where there is no cycle path, chapter 3, section 12 of the traffic ordinance says a bicycle should use the road shoulder (vägren) if it is wide enough and otherwise suitable. On a footway marked as compulsory for pedestrians, NTF says cycling is not allowed but you may lead the bike. Visitors who rent a bike can find shops in bike and scooter rental in Stockholm, and traffic rules in general are in driving and road rules in Sweden.
Tip
If a pavement is busy or you are unsure, get off and lead the bike: according to Transportstyrelsen, someone who leads a bike follows the same rules as pedestrians.
What may differ
The answer depends on the child's age and on whether a cycle path exists: children up to and including the year they turn 8 may use a footway only if there is no cycle path.
Common misconception
Everyone may cycle on the pavement in Sweden when there is no cycle path.
What actually happens
Transportstyrelsen says only children up to and including the year they turn eight may use the footway in that case. For others, the Swedish Police list cycling on a pavement as an offence with a SEK 500 fine.
People also ask
- Is it legal to cycle on the pavement in Sweden?
- Are cyclists allowed on the footpath in Sweden?
Sources
- Transportstyrelsen: Traffic rules for cyclistsChecked at:
- Swedish Police: Cyclists, what you need to knowChecked at:
- NTF: Cycling on the footwayChecked at:
- Traffic ordinance (1998:1276), riksdagen.seChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check Transportstyrelsen and the Swedish Police before you ride.
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