Advice on French Travel please..

[Xena]

Hi,

A group of us are off through Framce and Germany in the next few weeks and I'd be obliged if someone could confirm what equipment the local Old Bill will be looking for.... We're all prepped regarding the bike documents but unsure on things like spare bulbs, yellow jackets etc....

On the subject of bulbs, I've just swapped my 06 GS for a 10 GS (Only went in to book mine in for a service.... Other half found out last night.... think I'm still in the spare room.......), and now have LED rear lights.... Do I need to take a full unit or will part unit suffice ?


Many thanks



Martin

 

[London Mole]

French Law re: high-viz jacket

"Article R416-19 du code de la route
Modifié par Décret n°2008-754 du 30 juillet 2008 - art. 19
I. - Lorsqu'un véhicule immobilisé sur la chaussée constitue un danger
pour la circulation, notamment à proximité des intersections de routes,
des virages, des sommets de côtes, des passages à niveau et en cas de
visibilité insuffisante, ou lorsque tout ou partie de son chargement tombe
sur la chaussée sans pouvoir être immédiatement relevé, le conducteur
doit assurer la présignalisation de l'obstacle en faisant usage de ses feux
de détresse et d'un triangle de présignalisation.
En circulation, le conducteur doit disposer de ce triangle.
II. - Le conducteur doit revêtir un gilet de haute visibilité conforme à la
réglementation lorsqu'il est amené à sortir d'un véhicule immobilisé sur la
chaussée ou ses abords à la suite d'un arrêt d'urgence.
En circulation, le conducteur doit disposer de ce gilet à portée de main.
III. - Les dispositions des I et II du présent article ne s'appliquent
pas aux conducteurs de véhicules à deux ou trois roues et
quadricycles à moteur non carrossés.
Les dispositions du I ne s'appliquent pas aux conducteurs de véhicules
d'intérêt général prioritaires faisant usage de leurs avertisseurs spéciaux.
Les dispositions du II ne s'appliquent pas aux conducteurs de véhicules
agricoles, ni aux conducteurs des véhicules d'intérêt général prioritaires,
dès lors que les conducteurs de ces derniers disposent d'une tenue de
haute visibilité conforme aux dispositions du code du travail relatives aux
équipements de protection individuelle.
IV. - Un arrêté du ministre chargé des transports fixe les caractéristiques
de ces dispositifs et les conditions d'application des I et II du présent
article.
V. - Le fait, pour tout conducteur, de contrevenir à une ou plusieurs des
dispositions du présent article ou à celles prises pour son application est
puni de l'amende prévue pour les contraventions de la 4e classe.
Article R431-1-1 du code de la route
Créé par Décret n°2008-754 du 30 juillet 2008 - art. 20
Lorsqu'ils circulent la nuit, ou le jour lorsque la visibilité est insuffisante,
tout conducteur et passager d'un cycle doivent porter hors agglomération
un gilet de haute visibilité conforme à la réglementation et dont les
caractéristiques sont prévues par un arrêté du ministre chargé des
transports.
Le fait pour tout conducteur ou passager d'un cycle de contrevenir aux
dispositions du présent article est puni de l'amende prévue pour les
contraventions de la 2e classe.
Définition du cycle suivant article R311-1 du code de la route :
- cycle : véhicule ayant au moins deux roues et propulsé exclusivement
par l'énergie musculaire des personnes se trouvant sur ce véhicule,
notamment à l'aide de pédales ou de manivelles"

Translates in a few words like this:

CAR drivers MUST have a red triangle and high-viz bib when broken down on the side of the road.

BICYCLE riders must wear high-viz bib at night.

The law does NOT apply to MOTORCYCLE riders.

Thanks for watching, good night!!!

 

[wessie]

From the experience of the members of my touring party last summer, the ones riding 1 litre sports bikes at least, the Germany & French authorities are only concerned with the number of euros in your pocket. If you don't have enough then they will happily escort you to an ATM for more.

The Swiss authorities are much more civilised. They take credit cards apparently.

Me, on the lardy old R1150? I didn't get fined at all. There again, I've been before and am wise enough not to overtake an unmarked Subaru across a solid white line near Zernez, take the piss in the Black Forest or pass a gendarme at 90mph...

 

[Xena]

Many thanks,

Much obliged..... That makes things more simple !!

 

[stolzy]

Nice to be a biker in France - half the laws don't apply and you don't need an MOT either. Everybody loves bikers.

Main things to worry about are attended speed traps and document checks (GDs are generally well informed abut UK documentation requirements).

GD and police are generally very friendly even when they are taking your money or escorting you to the cashpoint (DAMHIK).

French speeding fines are generally good value, so pay up with a smile.

 

[Oliwoof]

With regard to speed traps in France in my experience somebody will let you know that there is police presence up the road by flashing their lights. Lorry drivers are particularly good at this. Last week I made a 600 mile round trip and met 3 mobile speed traps each way and was warned on each occasion.
Another thing that I have observed which can be a bit confusing is the way some drivers in front signal you to say that it is clear to overtake, some signal right and some left......... Personally I never trust anyone else's judgement.

Hope this is of some help, have a good trip.

Cheers Phil

www.pyreneesmotorcycletours.com

 

[London Mole]

Sébastien Dufour, avocat au Barreau de Paris : Absolument pas. Aucun texte n’interdit l’usage de ses phares dans de telles circonstances. La Cour de Cassation a d’ailleurs eu l’occasion de le rappeler.

From what the drivers/lawyers associations say, flashing headlights to warn others of a speed/mobile camera is still NOT an offence in France.

Do not listen to what the Gendarmes/Policiers tell you...

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

Translates in a few words like this:

CAR drivers MUST have a red triangle and high-viz bib when broken down on the side of the road.

BICYCLE riders must wear high-viz bib at night.

The law does NOT apply to MOTORCYCLE riders.

Thanks for watching, good night!!!

Sorry you are giving the wrong advice.The law states that ANYONE that stops at the roadside (breakdown or inappropriate rest) by law WILL wear a High Viz Vest / Jacket.

LED lighting is not covered under the bulb law, so you would be expected to have it into a garage ASAP to have it corrected.

Have a look at my website for a comprehensive good to touring

http://sites.google.com/site/anywayroundtour/home

 

[London Mole]

Apologies.

French is only my first language.

Feel free to translate the whole article.

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

Apologies.

French is only my first language.

Feel free to translate the whole article.

No Problem

"Article R416-19 traffic
Amended by Decree No. 2008-754 of 30 July 2008 - Art. 19
I. - When a vehicle stopped on the road is a danger
for traffic, especially near road intersections,
turns, peaks of coastline, crossing and if
poor visibility, or when all or part of its load falls
on the floor without being immediately identified, the driver
must provide advance warning of the obstacle by making use of its fire
distress and a warning triangle.
In traffic, the driver must have this triangle.
II. - The driver must wear a high visibility vest in accordance with the
regulation when brought out of a vehicle stopped on the
road or its surroundings after an emergency stop.
In traffic, the driver must have this jacket handy.
III. - The provisions of I and II of this Article shall apply
not for drivers with two or three wheels
quadricycles unbodied.
The provisions of I does not apply to drivers of vehicles
of priority interest by making use of their special warning.
The provisions of II does not apply to drivers of vehicles
agricultural, or drivers of vehicles in the public interest priority
since these drivers have an obligation to
High visibility in accordance with the Labour Code relating to
personal protective equipment.
IV. - A decree of the Minister for Transport defines the characteristics
of these devices and the conditions of application of I and II of this
section.
V. - The fact that a driver to violate one or more of
provisions of this section or those taken for its implementation is
punished by a fine for violations of the 4th class.
Article R431-1-1 of the Highway Code
Created by Decree No. 2008-754 of 30 July 2008 - Art. 20
When running at night or in daylight when visibility is insufficient,
every driver and passenger of a cycle must be out of town
a high visibility vest in accordance with the regulations and whose
Specifications are provided by a decree of the Minister of
transport.
The fact that any driver or passenger of a cycle of violating
provisions of this section is liable to a fine for
2nd class tickets.
Definition of the next cycle section R311-1 of the Highway Code:
- Cycle: vehicle having at least two wheels propelled solely
by the muscular energy of the people on that vehicle,
including the use of pedals or cranks "


My point was that it is abit of a catch 22, even though motorcycles are exempt (other that at night) if you breakdown at the side of the road you are expected to be wearing a high viz. We should be encouraging people to take these items abroad not telling people that it doesn't concern them!!!

 

[London Mole]

My point was that it is abit of a catch 22, even though motorcycles are exempt (other that at night) if you breakdown at the side of the road you are expected to be wearing a high viz. We should be encouraging people to take these items abroad not telling people that it doesn't concern them!!!

I was only kidding mate!!!



I agree with you, safety is paramount, I've got a hi-viz orange vest in my jacket's rear pocket at all times.

All I'm saying is that some of the French Gendarmes or Police Nationale officers, a minority I hope, would probably try to give foreign riders a fine/ticket for not having a hi-viz vest, hoping that can make a quick buck by assuming that people from abroad don't know French laws...

I know, I've been there.

But they didn't expect to find a "local boy" on a UK-reg GSA...

 

[Hustler]

Well I live here and never wear, or carry, a hi viz on a bike and as far as I know they aren't required.
Doesn't really help with the original question I suppose.

 

[Wapping]

Well I live here and never wear, or carry, a hi viz on a bike and as far as I know they aren't required.
Doesn't really help with the original question I suppose.

Never seen a French copper on a motorcycle with a high-viz vest yet *....

....Most seem to wear shirt sleeves!

.....Maybe it's a new law, "Tout les motards must wear une chemise bleue, c'est la loi"



* Though I do not doubt they exist.

 

[Deleted account AWRT]

Never seen a French copper on a motorcycle with a high-viz vest yet *....

....Most seem to wear shirt sleeves!

.....Maybe it's a new law, "Tout les motards must wear une chemise bleue, c'est la loi"



* Though I do not doubt they exist.

Tres bien, tres bien

 

[Riders Rest]

The French Road Safety Department has now confirmed that:

A law concerning the compulsory carrying of a reflective jacket (EN471) and a warning triangle (ECE R27) in France came into force on 1st July 2008. This regulation will be enforceable with on-the-spot fines, the fine will be between 90 and 135 Euros. This does not apply to Riders of two-wheeled and three-wheeled vehicles.

Incidently you do not have to carry bulbs - simply it is an offence to ride without your head and tail lights being illuminated at night and in the rain (and always for a motorcycle) if you are stopped by the police (G) for not displaying light you must immediately display light if you cannot because of a duff bulb you will not be allowed to drive the vehicle until it is repaired - if you are on the autoroute and you cannot replace a faulty bulb you will incure a fine and your vehicule will be tranported to a safe storage until you can effect the repair at your expence.

If you ride safely and not with excess or aggression the Police (G) will generally leave Motorcycles alone, they particularly dislike you crossing a solid white line and will stop you even if they don't fine you they will explain "Think of the solid white line as a wall!" I rode through a police speed trap Saturday (just gone) it was a 70 I was doing 80 (ish) and the guy with the radar simply waved in a friendly maner at me.

I think there is a lot of hype about how the police in France respond to Motorcyclists personally I have never had a problem. Keep off the Auto routes and National Routs and you will hardley ever see one and if you do it will be on the junction into a town or exiting a town invariably after lunch

http://ridersrest.eu/tips.aspx

 

[Wapping]

Rider's Rest post sums it all up very neatly.

In essence the rules are the same as the UK.

You do not need a reflective jacket / waring triangle unless you are in a car / van / lorry.

You do not need a spare bulb (unless your lights do not work). In other words, do not ride around on or in a defective vehicle. If you do you may get stopped (just as you woukd be in the UK), possibly fined and definitely told to fix it before proceeding.

Treat the coppers with respect, they (and the locals) have to live there. No Frenchman will never mind how many Brit's they fine or for what offence, just as I do not care how many Poles get fined leaving Dover on the A2.

In short, don't take the piss too openly too often and, if you do, don't get caught.

If you do get caught, be polite and cough up with good grace. Or take the piss and live to regret it.

Have a great summer.

 

[stolzy]

I think there is a lot of hype about how the police in France respond to Motorcyclists personally I have never had a problem. Keep off the Auto routes and National Routs and you will hardley ever see one and if you do it will be on the junction into a town or exiting a town invariably after lunch

In rural areas the plod are very thin on the ground. In my experience they are quite lenient to motorcyclists and invariably polite and friendly - right up until you get on their bad side.

Bear in mind that the powers of a Gendarme are way above what a UK police could even dream of. They don't need a radar to do you for speeding, just the opinion of two officers, if you can't pay a fine on the spot they'll immobilise the vehicle or tow it until you can (and charge you for storage), their word is, for all intents and purposes, law.

Their response when you are stopped depends very much on your attitude. If you act the cock, they can ruin your day in a big way, if you're polite and accommodating they will be the same and you'll be on your way in no time.

 

[er-minio]

Being a bit paranoid?
Just go and drive.

Just pay attention to the gendarmerie with the speed guns usually near or hidden at gantries/overpasses on the highways. Being on I bike I'll assume you won't be driving much on highways btw.

Have a nice trip

 

[wadham]

Thanks Riders Rest. Good info.

I agree with you about the attitude of Police in France to bikes. Never had a problem with them but have seen others who cross white lines and ride way too fast dealt with quickly.

 

[Red Rock]

If you come up to a junction with a Stop sign, make sure you stop and put a foot down if plod are about. Stopping for a second while balanced with your feet on the pegs ain't good enough. We've been pulled up for it and got let off with a lecture..Same in Spain too I think.