![]() |
european bike requirements.
me and a few mates are off to italy soon and i'm trying to find out what we legally need to take us as far as bike stuff goes.
do we or do we not require the following: hi vis vest. bulb set. first aid kit. triangle. light deflectors. we're going through france and switzerland as well, BTW. cheers rich. |
Never heard of having to have a traingle on a bike.... yet . Hi Viz vest yes in many countries the rest are advisable options. Headlamp beam defelctors are a good idea especially if you are driving in the dark - more for the fact it will stop oncoming cars flashing you and blinding you with super powerful xenon laser beam powered search lights !!!
|
Quote:
I have never taken any of this stuff (through France, Switzerland, Italy and many other Euro countries) except the headlight deflectors. Don't buy the ones out of halfords for a tenner. They are a total waste of money. Just use some black insulating tape. Not only are the halfords ones a rip-off, they leave a manky mess on your headlights which is well nigh impossible to get off. Pretty sure you don't need any of the other items. Drivers are meant to carry triangles, but on a bike this is impractical. Matt :) |
Light deflectors, bulbs and first aid kits are a legal requirement in most of Europe. Having said that the first aid kit is the only thing I ever carry (I don't ride at night, would consider deflectors if I did) and that's through choice not the desire to stay legal!
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
Ride defensive and never assume an Italian is even fully awake, never mind in control of their vehicle! Matt :) |
Hi
Just done a short tour in France and from a legal point of view you need: Headlight deflectors High vis vest for each person Bulb set Warning triangle - although no one could answer my question as to wether it applies to bikes First aid kits are not compulsory in France - but I always carry one anyway We heard on the grapevine over there that the police were fining foreign drivers if they had broken down/ involved in a accident and did not have the above on them. Becky PS If you are travelling on the Italian toll roads with other bikes, make sure you pass the automated toll booth with plenty of space between the bikes - I stopped next to my partners and brought the toll road to an abrupt halt! |
I've done about 20000 mls round Europe over the past few years and never taken any of the above :nono:
Been pulled several times and the only thing I've been asked for is my passport. |
Quote:
Chances are this won't happen, but the first aid kit and bulb kit weigh nothing and are usful to you. The vest or Sam Browne thingy are no hassle either and could be wrapped round a helmet to double for your "lost" triangle. This hopefully avoids annoying the one awkward copper if you do meet them. The lights are worth doing ith tape unless you really will never ride at dusk or in the rain. Even then carry the tape so you can sort it if plans change. The Halfords things actually have too settings, sticky headlight for life or fall off before you get off the ferry :thumbdown: I never had any hassle with the Italian drivers. They seemed very much in control even though their idea of traffic laws was more as guidance than a rigid system. Now if you want to be scared try any Belgian town on market day. Wet cobbles and hundreds of small Renault mounted OAP's who never took a driving test.....:eek3::censored::eek3: Andy |
AA website now says:-
'the french road safety department has now confirmed that "from the first of october 2008, all drivers of vehicles, including vehicles registered outside of France must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle. this does not apply to two or three wheeled vehicles" up to this point in time, apparently it is just "recommended" that you carry these items, as well as a first aid kit and a set of bulbs. having said that, who wants to get into a legal argument with a french copper. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
Quads are also exempt from the triangle/hi-vis-vest nonsense. John |
by 'vehicles' the AA means cars, their target audience. I spend a fair amount of mileage in France and Spain, and warning triangles and hi-viz vests are not required for bikes in reality. Despite the ambiguous wording in the bits of info you find.
passport, v5, insurance doc and dipped headlights on in daytime are requirements for bikes. Oh, and not riding like an idiot helps too. if you've ever ridden towards someone that has full beam on then you'll realise why you should use light deflectors. |
If considering headlamp deflectors consider your headlamp lens material.
If glass there is no problem. But If it is a plastic material, as on many bikes, the adhesive (or solvents within the adhesive) can sometimes interact with the plastic and leave a mark afterwards. Take advice from the deflector supplier/manufacturer. |
Reflective vests
I have heard it said it should not just be 'in the vehicle' but must be in the passenger area of the vehicle - not the luggage boot. The principle being that you have it on before you get out of the vehicle! |
All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:34. |