I've had several emails in the past asking about any hints for riding motorbike in France. Since the holidays are arriving (or are there), I decided to put a few pointers on paper (ehhh, I mean screen):
In one sentence, you can sum up the biker situation in France: "Bikers are RESPECTED in France". and "French love mavericks, and bikers are mavericks !!" (ok, that's 2 sentences)
The Law
We all know that the French see the law as a "guideline" only. They'll do whatever they want to do...... WRONG !! That has changed over the last 6 months !! There's a new Sheriff in town, and he's the new Minister of Security. The number 1 Presidential Election issue was road security, so he's got "carte blache". And he's out with all guns blazing !!
My Daily Blog on the new Sheriff
Starting this month (June 2003), if you're caught speeding 30 kms over the speedlimit, you'll loose your license for three years. Apparently, this now also applies for EC members. Speeding fines are never really taken from abroad, but apparently, the license suspension is international.
If you're caught doing 50 kms over the limit, you will go to jail for 6 months. In other words, going over the limit and getting stopped by the cops, means you'll end up in jail. No appeal !! And its automatic !!
Filtering
When riding on autoroutes (=motorways) you can (and you are expected to) pass cars in between the left lane and the next to that one. Obviously this applies when there's a traffic jam, but if the cars are driving around the same speed and there's a gaggle of them, often you can split the lane (ie lane filter).
Legally, filtering is tolerated !! That means you can do it at your own risk. If you have an accident, you're at fault !! But you will not be fined for doing it.
Caution, when there is slowed down traffic, and you are on the left lane, if a car moves to the left and puts out his left indicator, he's telling you go ahead and pass. And I MEAN he is TELLING you, it's not really an invitation. If you hang on his tail for a while and do not pass, you're going to see the car's rear window up real close !! Either pass in between or hang back. (Cars in France have gotten smart, they realise that the bikes take up value real estate on the road, and would rather see you in between cars).
Last week I saw an English Ducati group on the A13 motorway (Le Havre-Paris) at rush hour. The traffic was very dense and speeds were around 50 kph. They were lane splitting at 60 kph. There were about 30 french bikers stuck behind them. Several times the french bikers passed the british when they had a spot, and while they passed either put out one finger, cut them in, or twice slapped the Ducati rider on the back of his helmet..... It's not nice, but these guys (and gals) ride that route every day, and don't want to be held back. If you can't keep the pace, don't split the lane, but hang back....
Thank You's
When passing a car who has gone out of his way to let you through, stick out your left foot (or right one if it's the car on your right). Stick it out in a gentle way, keep it straight for a second or two. That means "Thank you but I can't let go with my hands to wave at you". Obviously waving with your hand is fine as well.
Danger Areas
There are a couple of very dangerous areas for foreign bikers. The main one is worlds largest DEATH TRAP; the Paris Peripherique. This is the ring road that goes around Paris. It's often 5-6 lanes deep (and sometimes 2), with a maximum speed of 70 kph.... theoretical !! The BP (=Boulevard Peripherique) is always full, no matter what time of the day, but during rush hour, it's a madhouse.
As on all multilanes, you'll find most of the bikers passing on the left-most and next to the last lane. Cars do try to get out of your way (remember to thank them), but often the road is very narrow.
The biggest danger on the BP are not the cars, nor the trucks, or taxis, but the other bikers !! Keep checking your six (ie rear mirror). Scooter Delivery and sportbikes are known to ride in triple digit speeds (there's even an un-official race around the BP. Current record is held by a Haya averaging 190 kph in rush hour with a maximum speed done at 280 kph). If you start your move to split a lane with a car, check to see if there's not one of the kamikaze squads moving in. They'll have no problem whatsoever to nudge out of the way, specially if you have a foreign license plate !! Believe me, I've seen it happen so often I lost count !!
If you see bikers coming behind you, move to the left (or right depending on the holes in the traffic) and stick out your right foot (or left one if you're going to the right). This means "I've seen you, pass on my right".
And remember, this is not a motorway !!! It is a Boulevard, meaning it's a road like any in the city. So if you decide to not partake in the madness, and take the right lane (the slow lane), you will have to give PRIORITY to the incoming traffic that is merging in to the BP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saterday night after 23:00 the BP is GTI heaven. The young kids from the burbs going ot the nightclubs, drunk, and very fast. It's a place to avoid at that time.
The other danger spots are the large roundabouts, specially Porte Maillot and Etoile (but equally applies to large roundabouts in big cities). Often they have no lanes, and are a free-for-all. Etoile has as added challenge that the road is bricked, no tarmac. The simple rule is that priority has to be given to the right ! So try to ignore what's happening on your left, and concentrate on your right. However, being on a foreign registered bike, you are a target !! So try to keep one eye on your left
Not so long ago, Etoile was the only place in France when you had an accident, you received half of the blame, not matter what happened. Now, the normal rules apply, so if you're hit from the left, it's their fault. Speeds are not high, but it's an ugly scene. best is to avoid it. If you have to go via Etoile, there is a 2 lane ring road around Etoile which turns counter clockwise. It start about 100 meters before the roundabout starts itself. There is also a tunnel from the Champs Elysee to the Avenue Grande Armee, avoiding Etoile.
Parking
Parking is more or less permitted on sidewalks as long as you leave plenty of space for pedestrians. If there's plenty of space on the sidewalk and you park your bike in a car space, you'll probably not like what's going to happen to the bike. Remember the French nudge cars when the park !!
The Champs Elysee is forbidden for bikes to park on !! It was the first such road that the law forbids bikes to park on the sidewalk. There are many bike parking areas in the side roads. More and more main roads in Paris (and other cities) now have bike parking areas. If you see those, it'll mean that you need to park there and not on the sidewalk.
Almost all public parking garages are free to motorbikes !!! Usually there are no signs, but when you enter the garage and see the barrier is a three-quarter length, it means you can pass through it with your bike. Or there is a special lane for bikes, marked with a motorbike symbol!
When you do park in a free garage, don't use up the car space. Either there's a special designated area of motorbikes, or there are lost spaces where you can park where a car can not park.
Greeting Other Bikers
Bikers are very solidaire in France. On the country roads you are expected to wave and return a wave. In the main big cities, this is not the case, apart from when stopping next to another bike at a traffic light. You give each other a nod.
You do not wave opposing bikers on a motorway, but when you pass another biker, stick out you foot. If you're being passed, you can stick out a foot or hand.
Most bikers will stop if they see you're stopped and appear to have technical problems. This also applies to foreign bikers. If you are in trouble with a car driver, you'll find other bikers coming to the rescue (I've had that four times already... one car driver go roughed up very badly by other bikers who came to my rescue).
Bike Cops
The Gendarme Mobile (Bike Cops) are bikers first, cops second !! They are in most cases friendly, they wave at you (or nod) and mostly leave you alone even if you breaking the law. Unless you're doing something really stupid or dangerous, you might get them saying that you're naughty and to cut it out...
Biking Areas
There are several areas that are fantastic to ride bikes in. Normandy (coast line), Alsace, Champage area, Pyrenees, Alpes, Midi and the Cote d'Azure.
So go out and enjoy yourselves..... hope this helps.
In one sentence, you can sum up the biker situation in France: "Bikers are RESPECTED in France". and "French love mavericks, and bikers are mavericks !!" (ok, that's 2 sentences)
The Law
We all know that the French see the law as a "guideline" only. They'll do whatever they want to do...... WRONG !! That has changed over the last 6 months !! There's a new Sheriff in town, and he's the new Minister of Security. The number 1 Presidential Election issue was road security, so he's got "carte blache". And he's out with all guns blazing !!
My Daily Blog on the new Sheriff
Starting this month (June 2003), if you're caught speeding 30 kms over the speedlimit, you'll loose your license for three years. Apparently, this now also applies for EC members. Speeding fines are never really taken from abroad, but apparently, the license suspension is international.
If you're caught doing 50 kms over the limit, you will go to jail for 6 months. In other words, going over the limit and getting stopped by the cops, means you'll end up in jail. No appeal !! And its automatic !!
Filtering
When riding on autoroutes (=motorways) you can (and you are expected to) pass cars in between the left lane and the next to that one. Obviously this applies when there's a traffic jam, but if the cars are driving around the same speed and there's a gaggle of them, often you can split the lane (ie lane filter).
Legally, filtering is tolerated !! That means you can do it at your own risk. If you have an accident, you're at fault !! But you will not be fined for doing it.
Caution, when there is slowed down traffic, and you are on the left lane, if a car moves to the left and puts out his left indicator, he's telling you go ahead and pass. And I MEAN he is TELLING you, it's not really an invitation. If you hang on his tail for a while and do not pass, you're going to see the car's rear window up real close !! Either pass in between or hang back. (Cars in France have gotten smart, they realise that the bikes take up value real estate on the road, and would rather see you in between cars).
Last week I saw an English Ducati group on the A13 motorway (Le Havre-Paris) at rush hour. The traffic was very dense and speeds were around 50 kph. They were lane splitting at 60 kph. There were about 30 french bikers stuck behind them. Several times the french bikers passed the british when they had a spot, and while they passed either put out one finger, cut them in, or twice slapped the Ducati rider on the back of his helmet..... It's not nice, but these guys (and gals) ride that route every day, and don't want to be held back. If you can't keep the pace, don't split the lane, but hang back....
Thank You's
When passing a car who has gone out of his way to let you through, stick out your left foot (or right one if it's the car on your right). Stick it out in a gentle way, keep it straight for a second or two. That means "Thank you but I can't let go with my hands to wave at you". Obviously waving with your hand is fine as well.
Danger Areas
There are a couple of very dangerous areas for foreign bikers. The main one is worlds largest DEATH TRAP; the Paris Peripherique. This is the ring road that goes around Paris. It's often 5-6 lanes deep (and sometimes 2), with a maximum speed of 70 kph.... theoretical !! The BP (=Boulevard Peripherique) is always full, no matter what time of the day, but during rush hour, it's a madhouse.
As on all multilanes, you'll find most of the bikers passing on the left-most and next to the last lane. Cars do try to get out of your way (remember to thank them), but often the road is very narrow.
The biggest danger on the BP are not the cars, nor the trucks, or taxis, but the other bikers !! Keep checking your six (ie rear mirror). Scooter Delivery and sportbikes are known to ride in triple digit speeds (there's even an un-official race around the BP. Current record is held by a Haya averaging 190 kph in rush hour with a maximum speed done at 280 kph). If you start your move to split a lane with a car, check to see if there's not one of the kamikaze squads moving in. They'll have no problem whatsoever to nudge out of the way, specially if you have a foreign license plate !! Believe me, I've seen it happen so often I lost count !!
If you see bikers coming behind you, move to the left (or right depending on the holes in the traffic) and stick out your right foot (or left one if you're going to the right). This means "I've seen you, pass on my right".
And remember, this is not a motorway !!! It is a Boulevard, meaning it's a road like any in the city. So if you decide to not partake in the madness, and take the right lane (the slow lane), you will have to give PRIORITY to the incoming traffic that is merging in to the BP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saterday night after 23:00 the BP is GTI heaven. The young kids from the burbs going ot the nightclubs, drunk, and very fast. It's a place to avoid at that time.
The other danger spots are the large roundabouts, specially Porte Maillot and Etoile (but equally applies to large roundabouts in big cities). Often they have no lanes, and are a free-for-all. Etoile has as added challenge that the road is bricked, no tarmac. The simple rule is that priority has to be given to the right ! So try to ignore what's happening on your left, and concentrate on your right. However, being on a foreign registered bike, you are a target !! So try to keep one eye on your left
Not so long ago, Etoile was the only place in France when you had an accident, you received half of the blame, not matter what happened. Now, the normal rules apply, so if you're hit from the left, it's their fault. Speeds are not high, but it's an ugly scene. best is to avoid it. If you have to go via Etoile, there is a 2 lane ring road around Etoile which turns counter clockwise. It start about 100 meters before the roundabout starts itself. There is also a tunnel from the Champs Elysee to the Avenue Grande Armee, avoiding Etoile.
Parking
Parking is more or less permitted on sidewalks as long as you leave plenty of space for pedestrians. If there's plenty of space on the sidewalk and you park your bike in a car space, you'll probably not like what's going to happen to the bike. Remember the French nudge cars when the park !!
The Champs Elysee is forbidden for bikes to park on !! It was the first such road that the law forbids bikes to park on the sidewalk. There are many bike parking areas in the side roads. More and more main roads in Paris (and other cities) now have bike parking areas. If you see those, it'll mean that you need to park there and not on the sidewalk.
Almost all public parking garages are free to motorbikes !!! Usually there are no signs, but when you enter the garage and see the barrier is a three-quarter length, it means you can pass through it with your bike. Or there is a special lane for bikes, marked with a motorbike symbol!
When you do park in a free garage, don't use up the car space. Either there's a special designated area of motorbikes, or there are lost spaces where you can park where a car can not park.
Greeting Other Bikers
Bikers are very solidaire in France. On the country roads you are expected to wave and return a wave. In the main big cities, this is not the case, apart from when stopping next to another bike at a traffic light. You give each other a nod.
You do not wave opposing bikers on a motorway, but when you pass another biker, stick out you foot. If you're being passed, you can stick out a foot or hand.
Most bikers will stop if they see you're stopped and appear to have technical problems. This also applies to foreign bikers. If you are in trouble with a car driver, you'll find other bikers coming to the rescue (I've had that four times already... one car driver go roughed up very badly by other bikers who came to my rescue).
Bike Cops
The Gendarme Mobile (Bike Cops) are bikers first, cops second !! They are in most cases friendly, they wave at you (or nod) and mostly leave you alone even if you breaking the law. Unless you're doing something really stupid or dangerous, you might get them saying that you're naughty and to cut it out...
Biking Areas
There are several areas that are fantastic to ride bikes in. Normandy (coast line), Alsace, Champage area, Pyrenees, Alpes, Midi and the Cote d'Azure.
So go out and enjoy yourselves..... hope this helps.