Cycling at night in France.

[Ian H]

My touring/long distance bikes have dynamos, so this doesn't affect me.

 

[mustang1]

I

Estimating the distance to a flashing light is far more difficult than to a solid light. Top marks to the French.

I wonder why police cars have flashing lights... It certainly draws more attention and I cannot imagine cops going around with a solid blue light on the roof of their car.

I am still a fan of flashing lights for cyclists so it's a boo from me for this new law.

 

[Ian H]

There seems to be a bewildering number of assertions about best lighting and visibility aids for cycling. None seem to come with any actual evidence. Even unlit cyclists are easily seen, judging by the number of complaints about them. I'll stick with simple, legal and less likely to confuse other road users.

 

[Oldhippy]

Dynamo as above for me.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

accept that fixed makes distance judgement easier

Allegedly. It was only one study and not done on real roads. Can‘t find the link to the source, but if anyone has the link?

 

[Dogtrousers]

On PBP in 2015 static front and rear lights were a requirement, along with a reflective vest, although that may have been the organisers decision and/or local laws.

The reflective vest is a legal requirement at night or at times of low visibility.
https://www.service-public.fr/particuliers/vosdroits/F34169

 

[Cathryn]

Have to ask myself,

"How often do I ride at night?" Answer, a handful of times per year.

"How often do I ride in France?" Answer, not in the last twenty five years.

I don't see a problem.

Your loss.

 

[Drago]

I hear that from January and French pedestrians at large during the hours of darkness will have to adorn themselves with Christmas tree lights and fire a very pistol every 50 paces. Anyone found in contravention the new regs will be given the choice of a 100,000 fine or five minutes listening to Charles Aznavour. The fine is predicted to be the popular option.

 

[Brandane]

Perhaps the issue of cyclists making themselves outrageously visible in France is less of an issue, given that French vehicle drivers do not tend to have the British psyche of being murderous, raging, impatient, entitled, envious, cyclist hating, nobbers.

My experiences of cycling in France, of which there have been many, is that French people (not just drivers) have a whole different attitude towards cyclists. A respect and admiration, rather than the loathing and hatred of the British. Long may it last. Vive la France!

 

[gavroche]

I hear that from January and French pedestrians at large during the hours of darkness will have to adorn themselves with Christmas tree lights and fire a very pistol every 50 paces. Anyone found in contravention the new regs will be given the choice of a 100,000 fine or five minutes listening to Charles Aznavour. The fine is predicted to be the popular option.

I rather like Charles Aznavour's songs. He wrote some great songs with good lyrics. Not the usual " I miss you, I love you etc.... " Meaningful texts he wrote.

 

[Ridgeway]

While searching for information on this I discovered it's illegal to use an ear piece, headphones etc. while cycling in France.

Or driving.

I had my standard ear in things attached to my phone and one part in the ear, one was out. As i passed through a peage a police officer jumped out and quickly became €60 worse off…

 

[Ridgeway]

I can see a lot of “oh dear officer i must have used the wrong setting, click click click, looks now it’s solid” pretty much all flashing lights have a solid option So i think the chances of getting a fine are unlikely, especially if you threaten them with a burning oil drum and a gillet jaune😂

 

[Drago]

I rather like Charles Aznavour's songs. He wrote some great songs with good lyrics. Not the usual " I miss you, I love you etc.... " Meaningful texts he wrote.

To be fair I arranged our wedding and chose the Elvis Costello version of  She for Mrs D to walk down the aisle to. But don't you dare tell anyone.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

A second change sees cyclists in calmer areas such as pedestrian zones or green cycle lanes (à circulation apaisée) allowed to cycle side-by-side permanently, even when a vehicle, pedestrian, or other cyclist wishes to overtake them.

 

[Drago]

And they still allow convicted drink drivers to drive voitures sans permis.