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28 Feb 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P
But other motorists don't bother to flash to warn you of fixed camera sites - which is what is all most Sat Navs can tell you about.
(back to square one!)
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Yep, that's what I had in mind with my edit to my last post but I couldn't type any more at the time 
The French fixed sites are not too obvious compared with the UK day glow yellow markings and use of overhead gantries on major roads, but I wouldn't worry about them too much - just personal to me, but the speed limits on the French major roads are good enough for me to make progress. Besides, those fixed sites are not manned so no one is actually there to see a GPS in use.
Just to develop that radar comment of mine; Le Flic (spelling?) have a range of a few KM so they like to set up on those delightful very long straight stretches of road whereby the motorist is very likely not looking that far ahead and/or is not wearing their glasses at the time!!
Hence I take those stretches fairly cautiously when there are no vehicles coming in the opposite direction that could provide warning.
Also, in some cases/areas, they are reputed to favour setting up on Sunday mornings (when everyone is on their best behaviour going to church??).
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28 Feb 2012
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I've been driving in France regularly for over 10 years now, and have been flashed by French fixed cameras many times in my UK registered car. Never had a ticket.
According to this website Caught speeding in France | Speed cameras in France it's only Luxembourg that are linked up with France in terms of sharing registration data. As with anything posted on a forum or a website, make up your own mind whether you believe it or not. All the fixed cameras I've seen are forward facing anyway so can't get motorbikes.
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28 Feb 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by -ralph-
I've seen are forward facing anyway so can't get motorbikes.
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Plenty around with forward and rear facing units in the same box.
Round here, all fixed sites have a warning sign telling you that for your comfort and safety, there is a camera ahead and if it records bikes as well as cars/trucks.
They do not tell you how far distant it is.
There was supposed to be a campaign of sign removal but it has not happened... Hard to justify it as a safety device if you don't know its there and therefore don't stick below the limit.
GPS wise, if you are that bothered/paranoid, get the new, re-titled speed cam database 
From 1/7/2012 you will also have to carry your own breathalyser... mine might get broken under the seat of the bike 
John
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Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
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1 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots
From 1/7/2012 you will also have to carry your own breathalyser... mine might get broken under the seat of the bike
John |
Only saw this recently, and also mentioned on Top Gear on Sunday. Will this apply to bikes as well? And can you use any old cheap and nasty ebay one?
And John can you just confirm the hi-viz thing? It does not apply to bikes bigger than 125cc? I am just getting confused now 
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2 Mar 2012
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It might be a good idea to wear a dayglow yellow overvest as car drivers have to carry in France now. They only cost 2-3 euros, and by wearing one now you will be signalling compliance with the law to the cops. so provided you dont rattle through a built up area with loud exhausts you stand a good chance of travelling unmolested.
do not crease the rice paper grasshopper
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4 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw
It might be a good idea to wear a dayglow yellow overvest as car drivers have to carry in France now. They only cost 2-3 euros, and by wearing one now you will be signalling compliance with the law to the cops. so provided you dont rattle through a built up area with loud exhausts you stand a good chance of travelling unmolested.
do not crease the rice paper grasshopper
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Personally if the law did say I have to ride with a HiViz vest I'd buy a bike friendly one with a zip at the front. I hate the idea of the cheapo ones with a little bit of velcro at the front, which will end up flapping in the breeze. But since the requirement seems to only be a small amount of reflective material and no HiViz at all then I'll just wear the compliant jacket I have. If it wasn't I'd maybe buy a suitable armband. (Only going from the link I put up previously for this info.)
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4 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by crapxxxx
Only saw this recently, and also mentioned on Top Gear on Sunday. Will this apply to bikes as well? And can you use any old cheap and nasty ebay one?
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Not known but it will probably have to have a "NF" stamp on it somewhere... Like the old BSI kitemark
Quote:
Originally Posted by crapxxxx
And John can you just confirm the hi-viz thing? It does not apply to bikes bigger than 125cc? I am just getting confused now |
There is no requirement to carry OR wear a hi-viz anything on a motorcycle, except on your helmet, if you LIVE here . For next year they have lined up the use of a 50 square centimeter area band of reflex or hi-viz armband or band on the upper part of the body. Still not clarified on whether its hi-viz or reflex, or indeed if it has to be on the arm or body.
Its all cock.
Cheers,
John
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4 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw
It might be a good idea to wear a dayglow yellow overvest ...by wearing one now you will be signalling compliance with the law to the cops.
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No, no, no... There is no law to comply with! and you will just be adding to their twisted ideas by them saying "see, lots of bikers wear them, lets make them ALL wear them"
John
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4 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots
Its all cock.
Cheers,
John
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18 Mar 2012
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After all that - It's still a great place to ride.
Paul
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19 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots
Some sort of reflective/hi-viz armband will be required from next Jan... unless we change their minds.
Cheers,
John
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The HUBB won't change their minds, it needs political lobbying of a serious nature.
So send some membership money here:
Motorcycle Action Group
Don't mess about, join up right now. Lobbying of any sort is excruciatingly expensive. (That's on purpose, so that hardly anyone can afford to do it).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P
All things are possible.
The French moto fraternity had a spectacular protest success many years back by getting Autoroute tolls reduced from 100% of the car rate to about 55%.
My Autoroute toll protest continues.
At manned toll booths - I stop - switch off engine - remove visor - (and helmet, switch off i-pod and remove ear phones or ear plugs, if feeling particularly bloody minded and there are long queues) - smile and go through usual French introductory pleasantries - remove gloves - unzip jacket - unzip overtrouser top - find money in inner trouser pocket - carefully count it out - carefully check change and receipt - put remaining money, change and receipt in inner trouser pocket - zip up over trousers - zip up jacket - replace ear phones/plugs and helmet (if previously removed) - put on gloves - offer my thanks and farewells - adjust visor - start engine - carefully move forward.
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Don't know if you know this Tony, but a MAG campaign followed exactly this method at the Dartford Crossing some years ago. Sometimes with quite a few bikes in line. It was quite fun.
We added the extra ingredients of dropping coins, only having a 20 pound note, dropping gloves,  and any other creative thing you could think of.
Most importantly, it worked, Dartford was made free. It also worked, if my memory is correct, on the Severn Bridge and a tunnel up north, maybe the Tyne.
But someone has to organise these things, or get the people organised, otherwise the machine of government continues unhindered. 
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19 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots
No, no, no... There is no law to comply with! and you will just be adding to their twisted ideas by them saying "see, lots of bikers wear them, lets make them ALL wear them"
John
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You misunderstood me or I explained it badly. by wearing a reflective vest on a bike you are over complying, so it might make them think your satnav will be entirely legal. the new satnavs now seem to just state that the sites of the radar camera are now danger spots. so no real difference in practice
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22 Mar 2012
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The latest software update on my 660 Zumo has removed all reference to camera locations...
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22 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by McCrankpin
The HUBB won't change their minds, it needs political lobbying of a serious nature.
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The "we" is the French bikers, organised by the FFMC - [Fédération Française des Motards en Colère] as the laws pertain to France.
More demos are organised for this weekend. The 24th in the department towns - Limoges, Le Mans etc and on Sunday the 25th its the turn of Paris so if you fancy a ride this weekend, pick one from the list: Manifs moto des 24 et 25 mars 2012 : les lieux de rendez-vous - Moto Mag : actu, essais moto et scooter, occasions
Always good fun and make the demos in the UK look a bit tame 
John
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23 Mar 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots
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Yep, They know how to do these things properly over in France.
I don't remember what the year was, but a few MAG members went over there to support a Paris protest against a new insurance regime that would seriously disadvantage riders. Something to do with 'no-fault insurance' I think.
We were efficiently marshalled up at Bois de Vincennes, don't know how many thousands of us, then commenced a very slow circuit of the Peripherique. So slow, we stopped for about 30 minutes every now and again, until the whole Peripherique was blocked.
At one stoppage we abandoned the bikes on the roadway, walked about 100 mtrs away and all lay down on the tarmac.
We lay there long enough for all the helicopter news crews to get all the footage they wanted.
Imagine that happening in the North Circular or M25!
I think around the last stoppage, we were all handed a balloon each, told to blow it up, walk to the bridge just ahead and tie them to the parapet. Thousands of balloons for another spectacular photo set-piece.
And no cars moved anywhere.
Great times - maybe you remember the year?
Can't do 25th March, am doing this: http://www.wasp.bwf-ivv.org.uk/Stumble_poster_2012.pdf
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Read more about Grant & Susan's story
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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.
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