Czech Republic transitions to winter time amid cyclist safety warnings

The Czech Republic will transition from summer time to winter time on the night of Saturday to Sunday, October 25, 2026. This change results in an hour-long night and earlier sunset, with darkness occurring around 4:45 PM and as early as 4:00 PM in December.

Road safety experts and the project ‘Na kole jen s přilbou’ (On a bike only with a helmet) are issuing warnings to cyclists. Statistics from 2021–2025 show that 963 night-time accidents involving cyclists occurred during the autumn and winter months, resulting in 22 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Experts note that the highest risk occurs during morning commutes between 5:00 AM and 7:00 AM, and evening commutes between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM.

To mitigate risks, authorities recommend that all bicycles be equipped with permanent reflectors (white in front, red in back, and orange on pedals/spokes) and that cyclists use active lighting, including white headlights and red rear lights, during periods of reduced visibility.