Cyclists are relatively vulnerable in traffic, not least because you are not allowed to cycle on sidewalks or footpaths if they are over 8 years old.
In many places there are therefore bicycle lanes, which separate the bicycles from larger and heavier motorized vehicles.
However, it is not unusual to meet a moped on a cycle path, and one may wonder if they are actually allowed to drive there. Here we find out what applies.
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Moped class 1 and class 2
The answer to whether you are allowed to drive a moped on a cycle track is that it depends, and to explain why we must first find out what type of mopeds are available in Sweden.
In Sweden today there are two main moped classes; class 1 and class 2.
An EU moped may not drive on cycle paths – Photo: Janerik Henriksson/TT
Mopeds in class 1 are also called EU mopeds, and require a driver’s license. A class 1 moped must be registered and must have a top speed of 45 km/h.
Class 2 mopeds do not require a driving license and do not need to be registered. The top speed may not exceed 25 km/h and the power may not exceed 1 kilowatt. This category also includes older so-called 30 mopeds, with a type certificate from before 17 June 2023.
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Can a moped be driven on a cycle lane?
For EU mopeds, it is not permitted to use cycle lanes. If you meet a moped equipped with a registration plate on a cycle path, there is therefore reason to be annoyed.
For class 2 mopeds, however, the same rules apply as for bicycles, which means that you can ride on cycle paths.
The exception is if the cycle path has the additional mark “no moped” under the sign for cycle path.
Not only that, but just like a bicycle, a class 2 moped must be driven on the cycle track if one is available.
A three-wheeled moped may be driven on sparsely trafficked cycle lanes that are wide enough, as long as special care is taken.
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