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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 26 Jan 2018
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Helmet stickers.France?
Hi,does anyone know if you have to have the reflective sticker on your bike helmet when travelling in France.I was told it's for french nationals only.Any idea's? cheers Joe.
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  #2  
Old 27 Jan 2018
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Reply France
I was there in Oct 2016 had no problem but did not get stopped
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Old 27 Jan 2018
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Here's a bit of interesting French law for you. The law states that all helmets worn on French territory must be homologated. When the international law on homologation came in, only France signed up for the option of making reflective stickers obligatory.

When you buy a helmet in France you either get stickers in the box or the retailer will give them to you.

According the legal section at the FFMC ( France's premier motorcycle club and legal advice centre) the law applies to ''EVERYONE'' who rides on French territory, but they don't know anyone from outside France who has been fined or prosecuted for not carrying them.

There is an arguement that as no other country requires them, which is true, then why should I put them on my helmet? The law, however, is written into France's ''Code de la route'' ( Highway code), and the Highway code applies to everyone.( Just as it does in any other country)

Your decision, however a biker down in poor visibility is much easier to spot if stickers are applied.
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Last edited by Pongo; 27 Jan 2018 at 09:20. Reason: Spelling error & edit
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Old 27 Jan 2018
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pongo View Post

Your decision, however a biker down in poor visibility is much easier to spot if stickers are applied.
Which is basically why I have stuck them onto my helmets: because it is a good idea, even if the rider is not down but simply making progress along the highway, in foggy conditions for example (side stickers as well as fore and aft).

Years ago I bought some of the reflective material and put it on my old helmet.

Fairly recently I bought a brand new helmet and there were purpose designed stickers along with all the other stuff that comes with a new helmet; I imagine that the helmet manufacturers cannot be sure where their products will end up being sold, across the whole of Europe or beyond so it may be that every new helmet includes stickers now?

Anyway, that's a couple of pence worth; "le flick" have other things to work on - I think the nation is still in a state of emergency following Charlie Hebdo et al?
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Old 27 Jan 2018
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Thanks for that.Kind of clear's things up for me.
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Old 28 Jan 2018
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I've ridden in France quite a bit and this has never been an issue. Like everything else bike related, if you're riding sensibly why would anyone stop you and have an issue with helmet stickers? The problem comes when you've done something stupid and the Police add that to th last!
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Old 3 Feb 2018
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Let's not forget that in France, the rider must carry on the bike or luggages a high visibility vest to be worn if the bike is stopped on the roadside. If stopped by cops, they may also ask you to show your vest. And you should also wear homologated gloves. If you wear glasses and ride in Spain, you must carry a spare set of glasses with you.
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Old 4 Feb 2018
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Several years ago, when this rule first came into effect, I visited a motorcycle dealer just inside the French border to purchase some reflective stickers.

The dealership had a huge roll of them under the counter, and gave me 4 stickers and refused to take any money in return.

So - it's pretty painless to comply with the rule. Personally, I think the stickers are a good idea.

Michael
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Old 4 Feb 2018
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The only time u r likely to come a cropper with the local gendarmerie will be thru serious excess speed, overtaking or crossing a solid white line and excess alcohol............ Which seems fair enough to me. Other then that I would not worry, they are generally an approachable bunch due to the fact that most Brits chat to them and are polite as opposed to the locals that consider them to be too thick to join the military.
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Old 6 Feb 2018
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Originally Posted by chris gale View Post
The only time u r likely to come a cropper with the local gendarmerie will be thru serious excess speed, overtaking or crossing a solid white line and excess alcohol............ Which seems fair enough to me. Other then that I would not worry, they are generally an approachable bunch due to the fact that most Brits chat to them and are polite as opposed to the locals that consider them to be too thick to join the military.
For your interest, the Gendarmerie ARE part of the military, and are actually a more difficult part of the military establishment to join as the application examinations are more public exposure involved and knowledge and application of the law at a much higher level. They aren't stupid and the majority of them also speak English. The Civil Police you see around are not part of the military, and the Douane ( customs) are the most feared, as they have the authority to arrest and lock you up before asking questions and without having to give a reason.
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Old 7 Feb 2018
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Pongo my old chap that is an opinion of some French people Not mine.... If you ever feel inclined to read the French Joe cartoons then u will see that Le Flic are certainly the butt of quite a few jokes. Certainly in the area I stay in they are not liked at all, prob should of said too thick to be a soldier is what is often said, am assuming this is French sarcasm but my language skills don't stretch that far. Anyway I keep out of it as I was both at one time or another........ Also thick as I volunteered for something Once
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Old 30 Aug 2018
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Hmm, interesting post there.

Anyhoo, this is a link I saved a while ago that gives a guide to the various regulations you should be aware of when riding in various European countries. It may not be authoritative but it seems to me like useful guidelines. Enjoy.

Riding your motorcycle abroad - FEMA
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Old 1 Sep 2018
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I recently rode from the north to the south of France without any issue, but i suppose for piece of mind and a few quid on stickers it worth it.

Tom
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  #14  
Old 3 Sep 2018
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You're legally required to have them on, yes, but I don't know anyone here that has been checked for that... If you're respectfull and well equipped for riding, the cops are usually nicer to you. But it doesn't cost anything and you can find them in black on the internet, if you don't want to have white stickers on your badass black helmet ! :-P

Regarding the "state of emergency", I've never felt a difference after it has been applied... (but I'm leaving far from the capital)
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Old 17 Jun 2023
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The link to the FEMA website has changed - here is the new link to the European countries and the rules of the road.
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