New Decree Approved that will Reduce Traffic Signs in Czechia, following Western Models

After many years of preparation, the Ministry of Transport (via the Ministry of the Interior) approved the new Decree No. 205/2025 Coll., which modifies existing traffic signage regulations. The amendment introduces new signs and simplifies or clarifies existing ones, all without needing to amend the law. The changes reflect the needs of modern urban traffic, including better support for cycling and pedestrian movement.

Simpler signs for contraflow bike lanes

A completely new sign, IP4c, has been introduced for contraflow bike lanes—that is, allowing bicycles to travel in both directions on one-way streets. This new sign integrates a bicycle symbol facing the opposite direction and eliminates the need for an additional supplementary sign (E12a) in the main direction of traffic. As a result, implementing a contraflow bike lane will require one fewer sign, making the solution cheaper and simpler overall. At the same time, the new sign is visually more noticeable than the current supplementary one, making the presence of cyclists traveling in the opposite direction easier for drivers to spot.

In the opposite direction (against traffic), however, the supplementary sign (E12b) will still be required to indicate the contraflow bike lane.

Dead-end roads open to cyclists

The decree also introduces simplified signage for dead-end roads that still allow bicycle passage. Instead of using text-based supplementary signs like “except cyclists,” a single modified sign can now be used. This approach, common in countries like Austria and Switzerland, is now being adopted in the Czech Republic as well. The change is also expected to reduce traffic signage costs.

Other changes include, for example, new signage for low-emission and urban zones, parking spaces for electric vehicles, areas with parking meters, and reserved parking spots. Another modification concerns the marking of cycle routes: it will no longer always be necessary to place signs on the right-hand side of the road. In justified cases, cycle route signs may be placed on a single post—similar to how hiking trail signs are marked.

Updated traffic light signals

The amendment also allows new uses of traffic light signals to enhance safety for pedestrians and cyclists. When combined directional signals are used at lane selection points, it will once again be possible to establish dedicated bike lanes—just as with standard signals—and right turns by parallel-moving vehicles will no longer be automatically considered as conflicting with cyclists going straight. A bike lane can also have its own traffic light. These rules were originally introduced in 2013 but were later overridden by a decree that negated them; the current amendment corrects that mistake.

Three-color traffic light systems specifically designed for cyclists will remain. On the other hand, the yellow pedestrian signal („caution!“) will be discontinued, as it served no real purpose. For yellow warning lights, the graphics have been reversed to improve visibility: now showing a black bicycle or pedestrian symbol on a yellow background, instead of the other way around.

Another new feature is the so-called “warning threshold”, a visual and physical element used to alert road users to a narrowing lane or an obstacle in the roadway, such as during construction work.

Sign descriptions aligned with the law

The amendment also brings the descriptions of certain signs into compliance with the law and clarifies some wording. For example, descriptions of paths (for pedestrians, cyclists, shared pedestrian-cyclist paths, and bridle paths) now simply state that the sign indicates a specific type of path.

This change eliminates the previous situation where the decree imposed obligations (e.g., mandatory use of certain paths) that were not mandated by law, creating a legal contradiction rather than merely clarifying the legislation.

For shared pedestrian and cyclist paths with divided lanes, the wording has been refined to clarify that the placement of symbols on the sign must reflect the actual layout of pedestrian and cyclist lanes.

Long transition period, immediate validity

Existing signage will remain valid until June 30, 2035, giving municipalities and road administrators ample time to gradually update signs. However, the new rules can be applied immediately as of July 1, 2025, when the decree takes effect.

Key reforms still missing

While the amendment brings many positive changes, experts have long pointed out that without amending the law itself, many fundamental barriers remain. In the area of cycling infrastructure, several legislative changes are still lacking that would bring Czech conditions closer to those in Western Europe.

For example, cyclists still do not have priority at crossings where cycle paths run parallel to main roads. Such a measure, standard in countries like Slovakia since 2021, would allow engineers to design continuous cycle paths along roads without requiring cyclists to stop at every intersection with a side street.

Also missing is legal recognition of the so-called indirect left turn, which would allow for simpler, more space-efficient, and safer left turns from main roads—without the need to cross multiple lanes of traffic. This type of turn is standard in Germany and Austria, for instance.