Further changes to bicycle transport in Italy.
Are you planning to take two-wheelers on the rear carrier on your next holiday in Italy? Then please note that the regulations for this type of transport have changed in Italy. We have summarised all the important information for you here.
Attaching warning signs & loads that are difficult to recognise
If you take your two-wheelers or other transport goods with you on the rear carrier in Italy and these protrude over the rear, they must be labelled with a red and white warning sign. If the load protruding to the rear also takes up the entire vehicle width, two of the warning signs must be attached to the left and right at the side of the load. According to Italian regulations, the warning sign must be made of sheet metal, measure at least 50 x 50 cm and be hatched in white and red. If you violate this labelling requirement, you could be fined at least €87.
UPDATE January 2025: Bicycle carriers that are attached directly to the tow bar, which have a repeater licence plate and their own lighting, are now no longer required to display the warning plates. Important: However, this does not apply to bike carriers that are not attached to the tow bar. Warning signs must still be installed here.
Therefore, if you are planning to travel to Italy with your two-wheeler, please remember to take the warning sign for your rear carrier with you.
But that’s not all. According to Italian road traffic regulations, a load may protrude 30 cm beyond the rear lights, but this does not apply to so-called hard-to-see loads. According to the latest interpretations of the Italian legislator, bicycles are now difficult to recognise and may therefore not be wider on the rear carrier than the vehicle itself. The decisive factor here is not the folded-out vehicle mirrors, but the width of the tail lights. Therefore, if your two-wheelers protrude beyond the tail lights of your vehicle, think twice before travelling to Italy on them. An offence can cost up to €345.
Source: ADAC.de
