A car indicates when it is about to turn. A motorbike and a moped indicate. A bus indicates. And even trams indicate. Yet on the vast majority of ebikes and bicycles, riders simply stick out their hand when they are about to change direction. At least, that’s how it was for most of the time in Germany. But in 2024, the law changed. Since then, all ebikes and regular bikes have been allowed to use them. Consequently, the topic is now gaining momentum. Here you’ll find the answers to eight key questions about indicators on ebikes.
1. Are ebike indicators permitted in Germany?
2. What are the benefits of indicators on an ebike?
3. Do indicators replace hand signals?
4. How can you recognise approved ebike indicators?
5. What solutions are currently available on the market?
6. Installation guidelines
7. Which connection on the ebike motor is the correct one?
8. Can indicators for ebikes also be fitted to regular bikes?
1. Are ebike indicators permitted in Germany?
Yes, with the adoption of the 56th Ordinance Amending Road Traffic Regulations relating to the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO) on 19 June 2024, the former ban on indicators on bicycles has been lifted. From the following day, direction indicators have been permitted on German roads for the first time on all types of bicycle.
For some, this date marks a turning point in Germany. That sounds a bit melodramatic. However, a touch of pathos seems appropriate here. After all, advocates of pedal-powered mobility have tirelessly championed the benefits of indicators on bicycles for many years – and have repeatedly hit a brick wall with their arguments.
Sadly, it was ultimately the rising number of accidents in which ebike riders were injured that prompted the then federal government to reconsider. It, too, apparently realised that people ride bicycles more safely if they can keep both hands on the handlebars to signal a turn.
Those interested can find the exact regulations in Section 67, ‘Lighting Equipment on Bicycles’, of the StVZO. It states, for example, that an ebike indicator must emit a yellow or orange light.
Special regulations for multi-track bicycles and speed pedelecs
Previously, based on the 52nd Ordinance Amending Road Traffic Regulations, indicators on bicycles had only been permitted within narrow limits in Germany since 1 July 2017. An exemption was granted, for example, to multi-track bicycles such as trikes and similar cargo bikes. Bicycles where any structure obscured the cyclist’s hand signals were also permitted to be fitted with them.
Special status is also granted to speed pedelecs, i.e. pedelecs whose motor provides assistance up to a maximum speed of 45 kilometres per hour. Since 2017, EU Regulation 168/2013 has classified these in category L1e-B. This means we are talking about mopeds here. And according to StVZO §54 (5) point 4, a moped may use a direction indicator – but is not required to do so.
Other electric flashing elements remain prohibited on both ebikes and conventional bicycles. According to the Allgemeine Deutsche Fahrrad-Club e. V. (ADFC), this will remain the case in the foreseeable future. Roland Huhn, legal expert at the ADFC, told the cycling magazine radfahren.de that no green light for flashing headlights and rear lights is to be expected from the legislator. The legislator apparently wishes to continue to strictly reserve flashing lights on bicycles for indicating direction of travel and for warnings.
2. What are the benefits of indicators on an ebike?
Greater safety for ebike riders and improved visibility to all other road users are arguably the two key arguments in favour of using indicators on ebikes. A smooth, slippery or very bumpy road surface, a heavily laden e-cargo bike, finding your way in unfamiliar surroundings – there are numerous situations that demand your full attention when riding an ebike. Any opportunity to make the riding situation easier is very welcome. And if you can keep both hands firmly on the handlebars whilst turning, that is a real safety bonus. It helps you maintain your balance better, allows you to focus fully on the turn and, above all, enables you to apply both the front and rear brakes precisely at any time with both hands.
From the perspective of other road users, indicators make the ebike rider’s intended manoeuvre more transparent and easier to anticipate. The flashing light clearly signals what the rider intends to do. Especially as this is not only the case in complete darkness, but also comes into play at dusk or in poor visibility conditions. Ultimately, this creates a more relaxed situation for everyone involved, which should significantly reduce the potential for danger when turning.
3. Do indicators replace hand signals?
The general consensus at present is that you no longer need to signal a change of direction with your hand if you use your indicators instead. This is how Section 9 of the Road Traffic Regulations appears to be interpreted. However, there are also voices advising a degree of caution in interpreting this. For instance, the ebike editorial team at Focus magazine refers to a situation that is ‘not yet legally clarified in every detail’. Experts would advise giving a hand signal in addition to using your indicators.
4. How can you recognise approved ebike indicators?
A bicycle indicator permitted for road use in Germany requires approval from the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). Otherwise, it is not considered to comply with the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations (StVZO). You can recognise the KBA’s official test mark for bicycle lighting by a wavy line followed by the capital letter K and a four-digit number.
Alternatively, a circle containing the uppercase letter E followed by the number 1 indicates successful approval by the KBA. This approval mark confirms that the indicators meet the minimum technical requirements of standards such as ECE regulations or EU directives. The number 1 indicates that the type approval applies to Germany. The number 2, for example, denotes France, the number 3 denotes Italy, and so on up to 27 for Slovakia.
A CE mark, on the other hand, is not mandatory. Indicators that have a recognised type approval in accordance with the regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE or UN/ECE) do not, for example, carry a CE mark.
5. What solutions are currently available on the market?
The approval for indicators on ebikes has been in force for less than two years. Consequently, the market for such systems is currently quite limited. It is essentially dominated by two manufacturers – Busch + Müller and Velorian. The former had already been intensively pursuing its own developments in the run-up to the legislative change. Velorian has even been offering a solution for multi-track cargo bikes and speed pedelecs since 2020.
Busch + Müller Turntec T4
At Cyclingworld Europe 2024 in Düsseldorf, Busch + Müller presented a production-ready indicator set for ebikes for the first time – the Busch + Müller Turntec T4. The solution comprises two indicators at the front of the handlebars and two at the rear for mounting on the rear rack. You can signal a turn using a rocker switch on the handlebars. A horn can also be activated there.
Busch + Müller Turntec T2
Shortly before Cyclingworld Europe 2026, the manufacturer released its second set. The Busch + Müller Turntec T2 consists of just two indicators. Unlike the Turntec T4, these are plugged into the left and right handlebar ends. Thanks to their own internal battery, they do not require a connection to the ebike motor. These indicators are therefore equally suitable for use on regular bicycles.
Velorian
Velorian offers six different sets as of now. They are designed for fitting to urban bikes, cargo bikes, recumbent bikes and multi-track bikes such as trikes – both with and without electric assistance. There is even a set for trailers. Compared to the Busch + Müller variants, installation is usually slightly more complex. However, they can be adapted more precisely to the individual requirements of the respective vehicles.
BLNKR
Among the newer products on the market is BLNKR from the Berlin-based company Motorgadget. Similar to the Busch + Müller Turntec T2, it follows the principle of two indicators at the ends of the handlebars. In this case, however, the system is connected to the ebike motor. For its market launch, there is a version for ebikes featuring a Bosch drive. With the Smart System, it can be connected either to the High Power Port or the Low Power Port. For older systems with a Bosch Performance Line CX motor, the Power Port – sometimes also called the AUX port – is used for this purpose. Looking ahead, the manufacturer aims to support further ebike systems with a 12V output for lighting, such as Shimano, Brose, Yamaha, etc.
However, the BLNKR example also shows just how much development is still underway in this area. For instance, this indicator comes with an optional mode in which both indicators remain lit continuously. Motorgadget refers to this as the position light. However, such behaviour is not defined at all in the legal text governing indicators. Consequently, this mode is not approved in Germany. You are therefore not permitted to use it on public roads.
In addition to the products mentioned here, numerous other indicators for ebikes are available on online marketplaces such as Amazon and similar sites. Often, these lack any indication of compliance with the StVZO or approval from the KBA. In most cases, this is presumably because neither is present. Anyone using such indicators on public roads may have saved a few euros at the time of purchase, but they are still committing an offence and could quickly lose the money they saved through a fine. To separate the wheat from the chaff, a glance at the price is sufficient. All permitted indicators from Motorgadget, Velorian and Busch + Müller cost at least 100 euros.
6. Installation guidelines
No matter which indicators you fit to your ebike – to ensure they are clearly visible to other road users, correct positioning is crucial. Height, alignment, position relative to the centre of the ebike, and position relative to other lights – all these factors must be taken into account. Generally speaking, you can use the StVZO guidelines on headlight positioning as a guide. After all, indicators are treated in the same way as headlights. This means that front indicators must be fitted at a height of between 40 centimetres and 120 centimetres. For rear indicators, a range of 25 centimetres to 120 centimetres is specified.
You can find more detailed specifications in the installation instructions provided by the respective manufacturers. If you follow these, the front and rear indicators should ultimately be clearly visible and should not interfere with the light from other headlights or be affected by them.
Once again, the speed pedelec is subject to separate regulations. You are permitted to retrofit indicators yourself on these vehicles. However, a testing centre must subsequently confirm the correct installation and note this in the vehicle documents.
7. Which connection on the ebike motor is the correct one?
Usually, indicators consume very little power. Typically, they draw two, three or four watts from the ebike system. Therefore, the connection can usually be made via the port for the lights – front and tail lights separately or together. Essentially, it is as if you were connecting a headlight. Under certain circumstances, however, the lights may then have to be switched on at all times.
On Bosch Smart System motors, there are two ports specifically intended for accessories such as indicators. The first is the HPP, the High Power Port. You can identify it among the motor connections by its orange and yellow colour coding. Alternatively, you can use the LPP, the Low Power Port, which is marked in grey and green. However, both solutions require that the ports on the ebike in question are not already occupied by other accessories such as an ABS system or sensors like the speed sensor.
Remember to check in advance whether the relevant port has actually been enabled by the manufacturer for this ebike. If not, no power will flow despite correct connection and the indicator will remain dark. In that case, a visit to a specialist workshop will help. They can enable the port using special software.
8. Can indicators for ebikes also be fitted to regular bikes?
Yes, in principle, ebike indicators can also be used on a bicycle without electric motor assistance. At least, the law makes no distinction in this regard. What matters more is how the indicators are powered. If they are designed to be connected to the ebike motor, they are not suitable for use in this context. However, if the indicator set, such as the Busch + Müller Turntec T2, is equipped with its own battery, there is nothing to prevent it from being used on a regular bike.
Pictures: Busch & Müller KG; motogadget GmbH; velorian GmbH