Let's look at the circular that recalls the directive 'uniform provisions concerning the approval of vehicles with regard to external projections'. The bike rack structures they are light and removable accessories, which do not significantly modify the unladen mass of the vehicle and can be applied to it, like ski racks which, however, are approved as technical units.
Tow Hook: What are the rules for the bike rack?
THE NEW RULES
The new rules are as follows:
- Maximum length of 1,20m (bike rack structure + loaded bikes)
- Maximum height 2,50m
- Maximum width of 2,35m (bike rack structure + loaded bikes). Notwithstanding that cannot exceed the gauge of the vehicle
EVERYONE GOING AROUND IN THE SUV?
Until now, a protrusion of 30 cm on each side compared to the shape of the vehicle was tolerated but now not: it will be very difficult so it remains within the limits with modern 29" bikes perhaps in size L / XL. Everyone driving around in SUVs? The bike rack is now a “load difficult to perceive” and no more “light and removable accessory".
PLATE AND REGISTRATION CARD
The bike rack must not obstruct the lighting, visual signaling devices and the license plate. The obligation remains to display the approved sign for protruding loads, 50x50 cm in size, with red and white stripes.
If the lighting or signaling devices (lights, stop lights or indicators) are obstructed, you must equip yourself with additional approved devices.
WHAT ABOUT FOREIGNERS WHO ARRIVE IN ITALY?
The circular establishes that these new rules apply to Italian citizens but cannot apply to foreign citizens. This might make sense but, with a somewhat open mind, it is difficult to make certain ways of reasoning go well.
SANCTIONS AND FINES
If you own a towbar bike rack or are about to install one, we recommend that you inform yourself well as the new regulations are RETROACTIVE! But there are serious debates underway on this, see the Peruzzo company (brand that builds bike racks) who appealed to the TAR. Naturally the sanctions are important, it is difficult to do otherwise:
- If you omit the protruding load sign, you risk a fine from 87 to 344 € (art. 164 of the Highway Code)
- In case of failure to undergo testing at the Civil Motorization Office (or failure to update the registration certificate if the bike rack hides the license plate), the fine may go from €430 to €1.731, with the risk of the booklet being withdrawn (art. 78 of the Highway Code)
- If the repeater plate is not displayed, the fine may be from 87 to 344 € and you can run into administrative detention of the vehicle (art. 100 of the Highway Code)
FURTHER REGULATORY REFERENCES
CLICK HERE for the circular of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport e CLICK HERE for the subsequent clarification circular.
CLICK HERE for the circular from the Ministry of the Interior relating to violations and related sanctions.
UPDATED
UPDATE 9 JANUARY 2024: Good news, ithe Italian distributor of Thule, Co.Ra Spa communicated that the COUNCIL OF STATE accepted the request for precautionary suspension (N. 10042/2023 REG.RIC.) regarding circular 25981 of 6 September 2023 and subsequent supplementary notes, which imposed restrictions and obligations relating to testing at the Motorization Office Civil of the bicycle and ski rack structures, applied cantilevered at the rear or on the ball tow hook on M1 category vehicles.
The order suspends the validity of the aforementioned circular as a precaution, effectively reinstating the conditions pre-existing on 6 September 2023.
Consequently, all the provisions contained in the circular in question must be considered at the current time without any regulatory value, restoring the freedom to install the aforementioned structures without impositions or sanctions.
CO.RA.spa, together with the main companies in the sector, which jointly brought forward the request, welcome this decision with satisfaction, recognizing the value of the precautionary suspension and the restoration of previous freedoms.
It is underlined that, at the moment, it is possible to proceed with the installation of the ski and bicycle rack structures according to the methods and characteristics previous to the contested circular.
CO.RA.spa [email protected]
