Notices
 

Thread: Avoiding France?

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 11
  1. Avoiding France? 
    #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Studley
    Posts
    522
    I’m planning a trip in August onto the continent. I was told to avoid France now because of the lower speed limits and head for Belgium. Is that true for France? I’m not going to ride like a loony but 50mph does seem dull..
    Counting down until my next ride out!
     
     

  2.  
    #2
    Administrator BB's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Location
    West Wilts
    Posts
    10,345
    Wow, had heard about it but forgotten. It comes in on 1st July. I seen there is also mention of a 'Crit'Air vignette' (clean Air) sticker but don't know if that also applies to bikes.
    We could learn a lot from crayons; some are sharp, some are pretty, some are dull, while others bright, some have weird names, but they all have learned to live together in the same box.”
     
     

  3.  
    #3
    Active Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2010
    Location
    Derry Hill
    Posts
    158
     
     

  4.  
    #4
    Senior Member Trev_P's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    RWB
    Posts
    675
    from what i can gather is that any vehicle that is euro 3 and below will have a bad time in france especially if you dont have the windscreen sticker showing the emissions CO2. euro 4 is the current (greenest) standard with 5 due to pounce sometime soon and as gov's want us all to drive the latest greenest vehicles no doubt france will hold the euro 4 standard as gospel
    If Voting Made a Difference, They Wouldn’t Let Us Do It

     
     

  5.  
    #5
    Platinum Member Trev's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    nr Ringwood, Hants
    Posts
    1,391
    The lower speed limit came in 1st July last year in France and, so far. only four main cities require a clean air sticker. They're not expensive (a few euro's) but do need to be bought in advance, they are only required if you plan to visit the city centres, not the best use of two wheel time anywhere and certainly not in a country like France with thousands of miles of glorious, quiet roads.

    I've been over three times on a bike since the lower limit came in, no problem, same as riding here in the UK, if you're reasonable, keep your eyes open and don't ride like a loon then you'll be fine. If you fancy a blast then it's still eminently possible just you risk a fine, same as here. It hasn't suddenly become a police state so and no one should let headlines put them off enjoying what still is a wonderful country for riding a bike and one so easy to access for us here in the South.

    Careful with the hi viz though as you may find yourself manning a barricade ; )

    Have fun!
     
     

  6.  
    #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Studley
    Posts
    522
    Cheers all. I think a few of my mates read too much in the Daily Hate so have a skewed view. Although changing the thread slightly we did take quiet a bit of **** off people for Brexit last time in France and Belgium. One French guy intimated as he thought that “all British people hated the French! now” I assume he reads the French Daily Hate too!!
     
     

  7.  
    #7
    Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2016
    Posts
    1,109
    Don't forget your hi viz reflective helmet stickers, 4 separate stickers are required I believe covering front, back left and right sides of helmets. I can see them wanting a man waving a red flag to walk in front soon as well.
     
     

  8.  
    #8
    Senior Member Trev_P's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    RWB
    Posts
    675
    the speed limits in france are arbitrary (if your'e french) we have relatives from jersey (which is almost french )who regularly drive in france and keep strictly to the limits because the gendarmes are a bit over zealous, however they say french drivers always overtake (often dangerously) and at well in excess of the speed limit but they seem to be ignored. one rule for them and all that lol
    If Voting Made a Difference, They Wouldn’t Let Us Do It

     
     

  9.  
    #9
    Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Hiding in your blindspot
    Posts
    1,687
    I drive into France every Sunday, and out every Friday, from Belgium, and this is news to me. Either way, been belting it for 6 months plus, and never had the filth chase me, car or bike, Lille is mental on a Friday, but they cannot move out of the way fast enough, and all the helmet sticker bollocks is just that, bollocks for tourists.
     
     

  10.  
    #10
    Platinum Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Hiding in your blindspot
    Posts
    1,687
    Just been chatting to a french colleague, this speed limit was not implemented, the gilet jaunes forced a reversal of legislation. Local governments can implement if they desire, but it is not compulsory.
     
     

Tags for this Thread

View Tag Cloud

Posting Permissions
  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •