Can you carry a passenger on your bike in Sweden?
Seat, age and helmet rules for carrying a passenger on a bicycle.
Short answer
Usually not: a bike needs a suitable seat and spoke protection, and then a rider aged 15 or over may carry one child under 10. A rider aged 18 or over may carry two children under 6, and everyone under 15 must wear a helmet. Carrying more passengers than allowed costs SEK 500, according to the Swedish Police.
Why
- According to NTF, chapter 6, section 3 of the traffic ordinance (trafikförordningen) requires a bicycle to have suitable seats and effective protection against the wheel spokes before it carries passengers.
- NTF states that someone aged 15 or over may carry one child under 10, and someone aged 18 or over may carry two children under 6.
- The Swedish Police list a fine of SEK 500 for carrying more passengers than allowed, and the same amount for carrying a passenger under 15 who has no helmet.
Details
The helmet law requires everyone under 15 to wear a helmet when cycling or being carried, and NTF says the rider is responsible for a passenger's helmet. NTF adds that a cargo bike should have proper kickstands and seats adapted for children, ideally with seat belts. Cycling rules in general are covered in driving and road rules in Sweden.
Tip
NTF recommends a child seat approved to EN14344 and says a bicycle shop can help you choose one that fits both the child and the bike; see bicycle shops in Stockholm.
What may differ
The answer depends on the ages of the rider and the passenger and on the type of bike. NTF says the helmet law also covers children in bike trailers and two-wheeled cargo bikes, but not three-wheeled cargo bikes, where it still recommends a helmet.
Common misconception
You can give an adult friend a lift on your bike's luggage rack as long as you ride carefully.
What actually happens
NTF says a bicycle may carry passengers only if it has suitable seats and protection against the wheel spokes, and that most bikes are not built for it. Carrying more passengers than allowed is a SEK 500 fine, according to the Swedish Police.
People also ask
- Is it legal to carry a passenger on a bike in Sweden?
- Can you give someone a lift on your bike?
Sources
- NTF: Carrying a passenger on a bicycleChecked at:
- NTF: Laws and rules for bicyclesChecked at:
- Swedish Police: Cyclists, what you need to knowChecked at:
This answer is for reference only. Rules can change, so check the Swedish Police and Transportstyrelsen before you ride.
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