Reflective stickers compulsory on helmets in France?
- Thread starter Tusky
- Start date
http://www.adventurebikerider.com/forum/9-the-pub/100185-helmet-law-france-read-this.html
Looks like it's been a long standing requirement that is not enforced.
Certainly, we've ridden to and through Fance several times and never had an issue
Looks like it's been a long standing requirement that is not enforced.
Certainly, we've ridden to and through Fance several times and never had an issue
Bugbear
Registered user
...............................
Don't panic Mr Mannering
It has been the case for years that reflective stickers are required. I have never heard of anyone being pulled for not having them.
UKGSers 'Thumby' stickers are reflective ....................
edit: if anyone wants them you can get a set free (usually) from any bike shop.
Tusky
Registered user
I've never had an issue either but the article mentioning "The police have recently been enforcing this rule quite severely in Paris and other locations throughout France", did make me prick my ears up a bit.
Riders Rest
Registered user
This a reply from the FFMC when emailed the following question...
Q- how does this rule apply to British Motorcyclists visiting and riding in France?
A-
REFLECTIVE HELMET STICKERS X 4
R431-1 of the code of the road states that all riders and pillions of motorcycles must wear an approved helmet and that helmet must have retro-reflective elements attached. The text does not exempt foreign riders. We can therefore deduce that British riders are subject to these regulations When they travel in France.
The standards of approval for helmets are the same in France as the UK. They are described in regulation 22-05 which leaves the choice to each State to impose the retro-reflective elements. France chose to impose these elements. Therefore a helmet without retro-reflective elements is deemed as not approved and justifies a fine of €135.
However, I would like to clarify that to this day, I have had no knowledge of a foreigner being fined on these grounds.
Catherine Galdos
Coordinatrice juridique de la FFMC
Q- how does this rule apply to British Motorcyclists visiting and riding in France?
A-
REFLECTIVE HELMET STICKERS X 4
R431-1 of the code of the road states that all riders and pillions of motorcycles must wear an approved helmet and that helmet must have retro-reflective elements attached. The text does not exempt foreign riders. We can therefore deduce that British riders are subject to these regulations When they travel in France.
The standards of approval for helmets are the same in France as the UK. They are described in regulation 22-05 which leaves the choice to each State to impose the retro-reflective elements. France chose to impose these elements. Therefore a helmet without retro-reflective elements is deemed as not approved and justifies a fine of €135.
However, I would like to clarify that to this day, I have had no knowledge of a foreigner being fined on these grounds.
Catherine Galdos
Coordinatrice juridique de la FFMC
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AberdeenAngus
Registered user
Not a bad idea. Some of the reflective material you get now are pretty good.
Absolutely shouldn't be the subject of a law though.
Absolutely shouldn't be the subject of a law though.
Deer Stalker
Registered user
The retro reflective stickers have been law in France for a long time - just ignored. Ignored in the same way most riders from the UK will ignore the need for a GB/Euro symbol on their plate or taping up their lights not to dazzle...
You takes your choice...
You takes your choice...
Reflective stickers
I was always under the impression that nothing should be stuck to a helmet as this can affect the integrity of the shell. Is this the case? if this is true will the French law makers pay for a new helmet after I have been there?
I was always under the impression that nothing should be stuck to a helmet as this can affect the integrity of the shell. Is this the case? if this is true will the French law makers pay for a new helmet after I have been there?
Our Gee
Registered user
I new nothing of this requirement until we boarded the Tunnel Train and met up with a kind chap on a Honda who was doling out strips of Reflective Tape to other bikers from a real of the stuff. He had come prepared with scissors !!.
Top Bloke.
Top Bloke.
Top bloke my arse.
He sounds like just the sort of misinformed and inattentive prick who`d be lecturing GB riders who weren`t wearing Please Don``t Knock Me Down vests when the over reaction and paranoia was all across the Internet at the time of the (only proposed) requirement for a small amount of reflective material on your bike jacket.
He and his knobber ilk were visible from outer space as they poured off the ferries and tunnel trains in head to toe and totally un-necessary Dayglo Derek gear.
The helmet reflective stickers have been a legal requirement in France for over 25 years..indeed,I own a GPA helmet that I bought in 1984 and it has the four reflective stickers on it....but they haven`t been enforced particularly well,if at all.
So,all this hoo hah is only about an existing law being enforced.
But I very much doubt that the stickers will be required by foreign riders visiting France.
Much in the same way that helmets not conforming to our standards were and are legal for non UK residents to wear while visiting UK.
Yellow Peril
Registered user
If you are really worried and want reflective stickers then use the services of Two Wheel Humvee with something a bit more bling:-
http://www.humvee-graphics.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23&osCsid=c9c14f74d3d18bbb3833aabad60f4efa
http://www.humvee-graphics.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=23&osCsid=c9c14f74d3d18bbb3833aabad60f4efa
I tend to agree with this, I thought that if it was legal in another EU state then it was deemed legal in all states, except if your a resident of that country, and helmets would need to be manufactured to the most stringent standards otherwise!
AberdeenAngus
Registered user
I think that goes back to Polycarb helmets & ordinary stickers.
So long as the sticker adhesive is approved for use on helmets there's no issue.
I did get a nice little pack of stickers with my BMW lid together with a notice saying what where I must put them if using it in France, but as I've never seen a single lid with these stickers on in France (or anywhere else) I binned 'em.
French cops are too busy with "Stop Sign" and speed traps to bother about stickers which is strange since it seems like an easy €135 for them every time.
French cops are too busy with "Stop Sign" and speed traps to bother about stickers which is strange since it seems like an easy €135 for them every time.
not been touring for a couple of years, but My Arai (probably 8 year old now) came with 'optional' stickers in the box - I always wondered what they were for, and why not already applied.
I've never had a problem, but if the focus has changed, then I don't mind putting reflectives on my lid. I don't ride at night (generally) as I like to be in the bar after a days ride, so not really an issue for me
I've never had a problem, but if the focus has changed, then I don't mind putting reflectives on my lid. I don't ride at night (generally) as I like to be in the bar after a days ride, so not really an issue for me
Once upon a time the French were not too hot on enforcing speed limits... but exceeding the limit was still an offence.
Irrespective of active enforcement or otherwise, to quote Catherine Galdos, Coordinatrice juridique de la FFMC:
"R431-1 of the code of the road states that all riders and pillions of motorcycles must wear an approved helmet and that helmet must have retro-reflective elements attached. The text does not exempt foreign riders. We can therefore deduce that British riders are subject to these regulations When they travel in France."
Apparently we Brits are subject to Johnny Foreigner's quirky legislation when we visit their shores... whether you choose to take the risk and ignore it is a different matter.
Apparently we Brits are subject to Johnny Foreigner's quirky legislation when we visit their shores... whether you choose to take the risk and ignore it is a different matter.
Yeap, their place, their rules, but when in France, do as the French do. If you want a spotty helmet fair enough, but you'll be in pretty limited company.
Having said that they aren't a bad idea. A local lad was killed a few weeks back after hitting a deer and being knocked off his scooter and then a few minutes later run over by a car, having not been seen in the dark lying in the road. Reflective blobs might have saved him, for very little effort (although sticking them on the deer might be tricky).
If that`s the case,then fair enuffski.
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STUBBS
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