Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Reflecting Helmet Stickers are required by visiting motocyclists in France Reflecting Helmet Stickers are required by visiting motocyclists in France
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree6Likes

Reply
Page 4 of 4 123 4
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #46  
Old 13 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit View Post
Also forget satnavs that warn you of speed locations are illegal as are detectors and speed cameras are now not signed, in fact they're often camouflaged, ready to catch out the driver or rider.
......which tends to indicate that the French system is designed to collect cash rather than to deter speeding.

I have never understood how those cameras remain so "immaculate", being sited at ground level - in the UK they would be covered in graffiti including spray paint on the camera lens.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #47  
Old 13 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,116
And I used to think of France as such a civilised place to ride These days though, what with sky high fuel prices, unmarked cameras in every hedge and a whole bunch of here today, gone tomorrow, not quite certain the day after rules like breathalysers, stickers, first aid kits, glow in the dark jackets etc the "liberte" bit seems to be only a fond memory. Can only be a matter of time before the German "different tyre for every day of the week" regulation crosses over the border.

It seems to be making the ferry companies happy though - they're flogging just about every possible stay legal gadget you can think of at vastly inflated prices on the ships. They even have someone handing out "You must have this stuff in France" leaflets as you arrive in your loading lane at Dover.
Reply With Quote
  #48  
Old 14 Jul 2013
Alexlebrit's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West London
Posts: 920
Quote:
Originally Posted by Walkabout View Post
......which tends to indicate that the French system is designed to collect cash rather than to deter speeding.

I have never understood how those cameras remain so "immaculate", being sited at ground level - in the UK they would be covered in graffiti including spray paint on the camera lens.
Or that it's designed to deter speeding EVERYWHERE, not just the 100 yards either side of a speed camera?
__________________
Happiness has 125 cc
Reply With Quote
  #49  
Old 14 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 141
Nah, definitely about le moola
__________________
That concrete whizzing by five inches below your foot is the real thing...
Reply With Quote
  #50  
Old 14 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by Alexlebrit View Post
Or that it's designed to deter speeding EVERYWHERE, not just the 100 yards either side of a speed camera?
It is probably a good time to discuss this off topic subject: Bastille day and the French citizenry heading down to the coast with the attendant accident statistics.
In my riding/driving time in France, the cameras don't work to that end; all local drivers/riders in France know their patch and where the cameras are located (which is why I am amazed that they are in such good condition, being so vulnerable). So, they slow for them and then drive faster elsewhere to make up for the delay.
The same pyschological thing happens in the UK of course.

If the French authorities were so concerned about their driving accident statistics, which used to be much worse than those for the UK - are they any better nowadays? - then they might spend their money on average speed camera systems; by and large, they do achieve a reduction in speeds in the UK.
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #51  
Old 14 Jul 2013
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
It is not just in France
Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
And I used to think of France as such a civilised place to ride These days though, what with sky high fuel prices, .
Now there's a topic!
The UK is supposed to have a highly taxed road fuel system in place and yet the fuel costs just about anywhere in western Europe are not much different: sure, the prices vary by a few Euro cents and diesel is cheaper than petrol (which is the reverse of the UK and tells a different story from that told by the UK fuel refiners).

So, if a big chunk of our cash spent on UK fuel is going to the taxman where does the money spent in mainland Europe go?

Incidentally, there are some UK govn plans to tax foreign trucks running on UK roads to recover the costs of their wheel damage to the running surface.
But that's even further
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #52  
Old 16 Jul 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: hull, east yorkshire
Posts: 23
Back to helmet stickers for what its worth, just done a 2 week tour of France, basically down west side, across south and back up east, never noticed a single motorcyclist with reflective stickers on their helmets, glad i also didn't bother now.
Reply With Quote
  #53  
Old 24 Aug 2013
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Cambridge, UK
Posts: 1
Another datum that the police don't care about stickers
Just to add a datum, my wife and I just got back from three weeks touring, mostly in France. Based on this thread, we decided to cut some sticker sets out of some red 3M reflective tape we had and carry it with us, hoping that applying them on the spot if questioned would be enough. In the event, the other vehicle with us had a high-speed shunt (no casualties) on the A61 in Languedoc-Roussillon, which meant that I got all up close and personal with the French police while wearing my motorcycle gear.

In the event, he didn't care about missing stickers. He didn't care about breathalysers or my high-viz tabard (though I have to say that, standing by the side of the A61, I was very glad to have it). He only cared that I'd taken photographs of the accident scene and had thus violated the _loi d'images_, that I understood that he could seize my camera and drag me in front of a court that very afternoon, and about making sure that his colleague supervised the deletion of every photo of the accident site that contained any part of a person.
Reply With Quote
  #54  
Old 20 Sep 2013
Pongo's Avatar
R.I.P. - 2020
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cotes d'Armor, France.
Posts: 377
An interesting development has come to light today, which is the direct result of a question to an MEP ( Member of the European Parliament), by a member of Bike Club France, who questioned the legality of the application of this French law concerning foregin visiting motorcyclists on French territory. The answer which has at last come back from the European commission refutes the original answers given by both the FFMC ( Federation Francaise de Motards en Colere) and the Ministry of the Interior legal advisor. Here is the relevant section of the text:-

Regulation No 22 leaves the mandating of conspicuity marks to the discretion of individual Contracting Parties, allowing them to prohibit the use of helmets not meeting the conspicuity requirements. However, it is the Commission’s understanding that the obligation contained in the French legislation cannot apply retroactively to helmets already in use. As a consequence, foreign motorcycle riders carrying a helmet not containing these reflective markings cannot be obliged to bring their helmets in conformity retroactively. Only new helmet types placed on the French market must comply with the new requirements and bear this reflective material.

Hey Ho!
__________________
-''It is better to walk alone than with a crowd going in the wrong direction''. ( Herman Siu)
-'' Live life then give life '' (www.lltgl.org.uk)
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 4 of 4 123 4

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27 2025
Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
CanWest: July 10-13 2025
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21 2025
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 13:43.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top