POLICE ANNOUNCEMENT ON THE NEW LAW UNDER THE TITLE “THE MOVEMENT OF CYCLISTS REGULATING LAW OF 2018”

The Police announces that as from the 31st of October, 2018, the provisions of the Movement of Cyclists Regulating Law (L. 19(I)/2018), which was published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on the 5th of April 2018, entered into force. The new legislation governs the cycling on any road, cycle track, path or lane, under specific terms and conditions.

As to the content of the new legislation, the following are set out:

General Provisions
1. Cycling on any motorway or expressway, unless a permit is acquired by the Chief of Cyprus Police, is prohibited (Article 4).

Cycling Essentials
(i) Every bicycle shall have the following essentials: two independent braking systems, a white or yellow light on the front of the bicycle that is visible from at least one hundred and fifty (150) meters, a rear flashing or steady red light that is also visible from at least one hundred and fifty (150) meters, reflectors, a special bell and tyres in good condition (Article 5).


(ii) The obligations of the bicycle manufacturer and importer are set out, including making sure that a bicycle has all the essentials, while at the time of sale or other disposal, the proof of sale or other disposal shall certify in writing that the bicycle has all the essentials (Article 6).


(iii) The maximum height and the manufacturing of a bicycle shall be determined in such a way that the person riding the bicycle has full control of it and may, at any given time, handle it effectively (Article 7).


(iv) As to the manufacturing, assemble, import, circulation or use of a bicycle more than 120cm wide, a special permit shall be issued by the Director of the Road Transport Department (Article 8).




Bicycle Circulation

(i) The cyclists’ obligation to ride on the left side of the road is regulated, provided that they can move anywhere, if required, subject to the road traffic rules, or for safety reasons (Article 9).

(ii) The cyclists’ obligations on the road network are defined. Based on those, all cyclists shall check the traffic behind them, comply with the traffic signs and traffic lights, obey to the signs and signals of a police officer regulating the traffic or a person regulating the traffic at a pedestrian crossing outside a school, express their intentions promptly and clearly, be extremely careful when moving on a cycle path and comply with all the rules applicable to the circulation of motor vehicles (Article 10).

(iii) Meanwhile, the applicable prohibitions when using a bicycle are also defined. Based on those, every cyclist is prohibited from:

• parking, placing or abandoning his/her bicycle in a way that prevents or is likely to impede the free movement of other cyclists moving or attempting to move on a cycle lane, path or track.

• being towed by another vehicle.

• towing or pushing any object which is not intended to be towed or pushed by a bicycle.

• transferring any object which may compromise road safety.

• cycling, while on his/her left side cycles in parallel any other cyclist.

• walking any animal.

• transferring any passenger, unless such passenger is transferred on a special seat, fixed to the bicycle and intended for such transfer, or unless such passenger is transferred on a bicycle designed for such transfer (Article 11).


(iv) Cycling at night is permitted, provided that the lights are visible (Article 12).


(v) Cycling/using a bicycle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is an offense (Article 13).




Liabilities of motor vehicle drivers

1. The liabilities of motor vehicle drivers on any road or cycle lane are explicitly defined towards cyclists. Among those liabilities are to: 


(i) adapt their vehicle’s speed and course in a way that shall facilitate the movement of cyclists.

(ii) avoid maneuvers that shall prevent the cyclists’ movement or that shall threaten cyclists.

(iii) avoid a lane change or a turning that shall prevent or cut off the free movement of cyclists.

(iv) keep their vehicle at a safe distance from cyclists.

(v) give priority to cyclists.

(vi) drive with great caution and care to protect cyclists (Article 14).

(vii) give priority to cyclists moving on a cycle lane or track and intend to cross the road (Article 15).

(viii) safely share the available pavement space, where there is a cycle track, with cyclists moving on that cycle track (Article 16).

(ix) give priority to cyclists or pedestrians moving on a cycle track or pavement or pedestrian area.

(x) prohibit the use of an audible warning device or sound device in a cycle path area, unless that is required for the protection of pedestrians and/or cyclists.

(xi) be very cautious and careful in cycling route areas (Article 17).

Preservation of Safe Movement Conditions on 
Cycle Lane, Path and Track



1. In the context of the safe movement of cyclists, moving, stopping and parking or leaving a motor vehicle on a cycle lane, as well as parking on a cycle track (Article 18), placing/abandoning an object impeding a cycle lane or path (Article 19), or leaving any motor vehicle on a cycle track, placing objects impeding a cycle track (Article 20) and using or placing at any point of a cycle lane or path or track a storm drain whose gaps are parallel to the roadway axis (Article 21) is prohibited.

OTHER SPECIAL PROVISIONS

1. For Cycling on a Cycle Lane or Path and Track, specific liabilities have been established under Part VII and Part VIII (Articles 22-25).

2. Offenses and Penalties are defined in Part X of the Law.