10) 1883-1960: Influence of Cycling Clubs and Associations

When was the first cyclists’ association founded in Switzerland? Which were the most important associations? Did you know that the Touring Club of Switzerland (TCS) was founded by cyclists? Why did cyclists’ associations prevent the first bicycle numbers in Switzerland in Fribourg in 1893 and then propose them in Zurich? Did you know that cyclists’ associations were the first lobbyists for national traffic law, before automobile associations? How did the associations overturn the first Swiss traffic law? What profound and long-lasting effects did their success have across Switzerland? What influence did the associations have on the introduction of liability insurance? How did cyclists’ associations settle a 27-year dispute between the federal government and the cantons?