Bicycle holidaymakers should be careful in Italy at the moment. According to the ADAC, the legal situation for rear racks has changed. There is a risk of a fine of up to 345 euros.
Italy is one of the most popular holiday destinations for Germans. No wonder, there is something for almost every taste: mountains for hikers, beaches for sun worshipers, sea for water lovers – and lots of good food for food lovers. Another important factor: You can drive there from Germany. Beforehand, you should not only find out about the toll fees, but also about the traffic regulations that apply there. Some violations can be really expensive in Italy. For example, if you leave the air conditioning running “unnecessarily”. – and smoking in the car can also result in a high fine, if there are pregnant women or children on board. Now there is another source of fines – it affects holidaymakers who travel with a rear carrier.
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For oversized loads: Warning signs at the rear of the vehicle are mandatory in Italy
In Germany, drivers have to mark transported goods with a “red flag” (or similar) if they protrude more than one meter beyond the end of the vehicle. In Italy, however, there is one red and white warning sign (promotional link) mandatory as soon as something extra long is transported or a rear rack for bicycles is used. Again Auto Club Europe (ACE) explains, the warning sign must be made of metal, be at least 50 x 50 centimeters in size and have reflective red and white diagonal stripes. Anyone who does not comply will face a fine of 80 euros.
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New regulations for rear carriers in Italy from 2023 have been withdrawn for the time being
Dem ADAC However, according to this regulation, this regulation was changed in August 2023: Anyone who has one Rear carrier (which, according to experts, is particularly recommended for e-bikes) with repeat license plates and their own lighting, were allowed to do without the warning sign. However, according to the automobile club, this decision was initially overturned because several manufacturers of rear racks took action against the tightening of the law. For the time being, the old regulation applies again, according to which a warning sign is required even with repeat license plates. The regulation doesn't just apply to bicycles: anyone who takes skis or snowboards on the rear rack also has to attach the board.
ADAC advises bicycle holidaymakers to be careful: a fine of up to 345 euros is currently possible in Italy
However, bicycle holidaymakers in Italy now have to be particularly careful. According to the Italian road traffic regulations, “difficult to recognize loads” must not protrude beyond the width of the taillights. As the ADAC emphasized at the request of 24auto.de from IPPEN.MEDIA, according to the old law (which now applies again), it was up to the police authorities in the respective provinces to interpret whether bicycles were defined as “difficult to recognize load”, according to which they were not should protrude laterally.
In South Tyrol, however, according to the automobile club and the Bolzano road traffic police, no penalties are to be expected in such cases. However, depending on the interpretation, a fine may be due in other parts of Italy. Because there is currently no legal certainty, travelers should, according to the automobile club, think carefully about whether they want to drive to Italy with such an “extra-wide” load. If an Italian traffic police officer is bothered by this, it can be extremely expensive: there is a risk of a fine of up to 345 euros.
Editor's note: Some information was added to the text in the last two paragraphs.
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