Switzerland’s federal government will provide the cantons with an additional CHF 52 billion to cut road noise, reported RTS. The additional CHF 52 billion will be added to an existing funding package of CHF 26 billion. The main source of noise in Switzerland is from road traffic. More than a million people, over 10% of […]
UDC/SVP wants biodiversity reserves farmed to boost Swiss food output
The soaring price of some food staples resulting from the war in Ukraine has stirred concerns in some political corners about Switzerland’s inability to meet its own food requirements. Switzerland imports around half of the food it consumes making it heavily reliant on the rest of the world. Some members of Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) […]
Electric bike theft jumps in Switzerland (and locking tips)
Recently published Federal Statistical Office (FSO) figures show a sharp jump in the number of electric bicycles stolen in Switzerland. In 2021, 8,919 electric bikes were stolen in Switzerland, 47% more than in 2020. At the same time the number of regular bicycles thefts fell by 11%, reflecting in part the shift away from regular […]
Tips for cutting energy bills
As the prices of fossil fuels skyrocket and further supply and price uncertainty looms, many are seeking ways to cut the amount they spend on home energy. A publication by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) shows where savings can be made. Recent rises in the prices of fossil fuels highlight the paradox at […]
Electric bikes must now have lights on at all times in Switzerland
From 1 April 2022, electric bikes must have their lights on when ridden on the road, even during the daytime. Those who don’t comply with the measure, designed to make e-bikes more visible and improve safety, risk a fine of CHF 20. The new rule requires a headlight during the day. Taillights are also recommended. […]
Fire risk reaches level 4 in parts of Switzerland
The lack of rainfall in Switzerland has reached a critical point warned Swiss Meteo this week. Switzerland has had very little rain since the end of December 2021, said the weather service, something made apparent by the low water level in rivers. The authorities have called on the public to not throw cigarette butts or […]
Extreme weather brings worst grape harvest in Switzerland since 1957
A report this week shows how extreme weather led to Switzerland’s worst grape harvest since 1957. Switzerland’s grape harvest last year produced only 61 million litres of wine, 36% below the 10-year average of 95 million litres. In the canton of Valais, Switzerland’s biggest producer, the harvest was half of what it normally is. Some […]
Swiss skies turn orange
On 15 March 2022, people across parts of Switzerland awoke to strange orange skies. This phenomenon is caused by sand from the Sahara desert. It is a well known meteorological phenomenon that occurs roughly three times a year in Switzerland, typically during spring and autumn. The image above is from a Meteo Swiss webcam at […]
Swiss supermarket stops printing receipts
From Tuesday, 1 March 2022, Swiss supermarket Coop stopped automatically printing customer receipts. From now on anyone wanting a receipt will need to ask for one. This policy will apply to automatic and staffed tills, said the company. Already tested on self-service check out terminals, the company expects the move to save 400 tonnes of […]
Seven Swiss cantons do not have bomb shelter space for everyone
In Switzerland, every resident must have a place in an atomic bomb shelter within a 30 minute walk of their home. The distance is extended to a 60 minute walk in mountain regions. However, the rules on atomic shelters have not been followed in a number of cantons and municipalities, reports RTS. According to the […]
