The Touring Club Suisse (TCS) is a

Swiss association A Swiss association ("''Verein''" in German, "association" in French, "associazione" in Italian) is a type of corporation in Swiss law. It is similar to the Anglo-American voluntary association. Unlike in Germany, a Swiss association does not need ...

representing the interests of drivers in

Switzerland ). Swiss law does not designate a ''capital'' as such, but the federal parliament and government are installed in Bern, while other federal institutions, such as the federal courts, are in other cities (Bellinzona, Lausanne, Luzern, Neuchâtel ...

. With approximately 1.5 million members, the non-profit is the largest

mobility Mobility may refer to: Social sciences and humanities * Economic mobility, ability of individuals or families to improve their economic status * Geographic mobility, the measure of how populations and goods move over time * Mobilities, a contemp ...

club in Switzerland and one of the largest grassroot organizations in the country. TCS offers a variety of services to its members (insurance, road assistance, driving courses, etc.) as well as leisure, with dozens of campgrounds dotting the country. It also carries out

crash tests A crash test is a form of destructive testing usually performed in order to ensure safe design standards in crashworthiness and crash compatibility for various modes of transportation (see automobile safety) or related systems and componen ...

on all objects related to mobility, and occasionally engages in

political lobbying In politics, lobbying, persuasion or interest representation is the act of lawfully attempting to influence the actions, policies, or decisions of government officials, most often legislators or members of regulatory agency, regulatory agencie ...

with issues related to mobility.

Origin and structure

The TCS was founded in

Geneva Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevra ; rm, Genevra is the List of cities in Switzerland, second-most populous city in Switzerland (after Zürich) and the most populous city of Romandy, the French-speaki ...

on September 1, 1896 by 205 cyclists with the aim of developing bicycle tourism. To this day the association remains a non-profit and is headquartered in Vernier in the

canton of Geneva The Canton of Geneva, officially the Republic and Canton of Geneva (french: link=no, République et canton de Genève; frp, Rèpublica et canton de Geneva; german: Republik und Kanton Genf; it, Repubblica e Cantone di Ginevra; rm, Republica e ...

. Structurally, the TCS consists of 23 sections and a central Club. Each section delegates a representative who sits on the Board of Directors. It appoints a director who manages the Central Club’s business. The highest body is the Delegate Assembly, which represents all TCS members.

Activities

The TCS is known throughout Switzerland by its helpdesk service, reachable in Switzerland on 0800 140 140 and its 220 yellow patrol vehicles. The ETI Booklet (Entraide Touristique Internationale, or International Tourist Assistance) is a travel insurance that covers the events that can take place before and during a travel abroad: breakdown service, legal protection, baggage insurance, cancellation insurance, remote medical advice, repatriation and medical expenses. The legal protection service of the TCS was founded in 1958. It defends its members on the following topics: private legal protection, motorist's legal protection, real estate and internet. The TCS also carries out product tests every year - child seats,

tire A tire (American English) or tyre (British English) is a ring-shaped component that surrounds a Rim (wheel), wheel's rim to transfer a vehicle's load from the axle through the wheel to the ground and to provide Traction (engineering), t ...

helmet A helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head. More specifically, a helmet complements the skull in protecting the human brain. Ceremonial or symbolic helmets (e.g., a policeman's helmet in the United Kingdom) without protect ...

s, driving systems, etc. - as well as vehicles tests -

car A car or automobile is a motor vehicle with wheels. Most definitions of ''cars'' say that they run primarily on roads, seat one to eight people, have four wheels, and mainly transport people instead of goods. The year 1886 is regarded as ...

motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...

s, ebikes, scooters etc. - and publishes these tests for free to benefit the whole community. Since its creation, the TCS has been committed to

road safety Road traffic safety refers to the methods and measures used to prevent road users from being killed or seriously injured. Typical road users include pedestrians, cyclists, motorists, vehicle passengers, horse riders, and passengers of on-road ...

. It publishes brochures and leaflets for the use of its members and schools. It participates in national prevention campaigns funded by the Road Safety Fund. The TCS also conducts studies on the safety of the road infrastructure. A privileged partner of the authorities, the TCS’ expertise is recognized at the Swiss level and it participates in all public consultations on the topic of road safety and mobility in general. Once a month, TCS members receive the Touring magazine for free, published in French, German and Italian. The magazine’s editorial offices are centralized in

Bern german: Berner(in)french: Bernois(e) it, bernese , neighboring_municipalities = Bremgarten bei Bern, Frauenkappelen, Ittigen, Kirchlindach, Köniz, Mühleberg, Muri bei Bern, Neuenegg, Ostermundigen, Wohlen bei Bern, Zollikofen , website ...

. The TCS has 21 technical centers, 29 campsites and 15 driving training tracks. The TCS has been a member of the International Automobile Federation (

FIA FIA is the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (English: International Automobile Federation), the world's governing body for all forms of motor sport where four or more wheels are used. Fia or FIA may also refer to: People * Fia Backst ...

) since 1998

References

* François Antoniazzi, Der Touring Club Schweiz im Spiegel von 100 Ereignissen 1896–1996, TCS Publishing, Geneva, 1996. * Joseph Britschgi, Manuel d'enseignement de la circulation, TCS Publishing, Geneva, 1946.

External links

* {{Authority control Clubs and societies in Switzerland 1896 establishments in Switzerland Automobile associations Organizations established in 1896