Cycling at night in France.

[Psamathe]

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

(Bit off-topic but) I'm actually quite a fan of the VSP system. Whilst it's not perfect it does avoid persistent wealthy offenders employing legal teams and keeping thei license "because of the need for their charity work" (or just personal hardship). In the UK too often we seem to get reports of people with ludicrous number of points on their license but still legally driving due to the impact removing their license would have.

Plus, my understanding (from time I lived in France) is that even driving a VSP you still need insurance and that gets very expensive if you have offences causing loss of your license. So big financial penalty.

Ian

 

[Psamathe]

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

It's a difficult one for cyclists as I (in the UK) will sometimes wear in-ear headphones (lose fitting ones) when I head out expecting an important phone call ie so I can quickly stop and answer the call (don't listen to music on them whilst cycling).

Plus these days noticing cars based on engine noise seems less reliable given the increasing number of EVs.

I assume the French law is "wearing headphones" rather than "using headphones" (as "using" would be unenforceable as everybody would just declare they were wearing but not using).

Ian

 

[Drago]

(Bit off-topic but) I'm actually quite a fan of the VSP system. Whilst it's not perfect it does avoid persistent wealthy offenders employing legal teams and keeping thei license "because of the need for their charity work" (or just personal hardship). In the UK too often we seem to get reports of people with ludicrous number of points on their license but still legally driving due to the impact removing their license would have.

Plus, my understanding (from time I lived in France) is that even driving a VSP you still need insurance and that gets very expensive if you have offences causing loss of your license. So big financial penalty.

Ian

I think being run over by VSP is gioing to be equally unpleasant.

Just do away with this hardship argument bollards, problem solved. The time to think about hardship before offending, not once you've been caught.

 

[Profpointy]

It's a difficult one for cyclists as I (in the UK) will sometimes wear in-ear headphones (lose fitting ones) when I head out expecting an important phone call ie so I can quickly stop and answer the call (don't listen to music on them whilst cycling).

Plus these days noticing cars based on engine noise seems less reliable given the increasing number of EVs.

I assume the French law is "wearing headphones" rather than "using headphones" (as "using" would be unenforceable as everybody would just declare they were wearing but not using).

Ian

Whilst I have never worn headphones cycling there does seem a little bit of hypocrisy since it is allowed to drive a car with the windows close,d and some people even have the radio on!

On a motorcycle, it is foolish to ride without earplugs (as well as the foam of your helmet)
if you don't want hearing damage

 

[Psamathe]

I think being run over by VSP is gioing to be equally unpleasant.

Just do away with this hardship argument bollards, problem solved. The time to think about hardship before offending, not once you've been caught.

I agree but in the UK we seem unable to get away from the "hardship" route for habitual offenders (and the wealthy) to avoid penalty. My impression is VSPs are an intermediate step. eg a Division 1 football star or your FTSE 100 CEO having to arrive places in a VSP rather than their top of the range Lamborghini - my guess is they'd be stopping diving rather than be seen in a VSP.

Or, as you say, our Government discontinues the "hardship" option once the threshold point limit is reached.

Ian

 

[matticus]

My impression is VSPs are an intermediate step. eg a Division 1 football star or your FTSE 100 CEO having to arrive places in a VSP rather than their top of the range Lamborghini - my guess is they'd be stopping diving rather than be seen in a VSP.

This thread is the first time I've heard of the French VSP arrangement! Like all legal things it sounds imperfect, but a pretty good compromise 👍

 

[Dogtrousers]

This thread is the first time I've heard of the French VSP arrangement! Like all legal things it sounds imperfect, but a pretty good compromise 👍

I haven't seen one for ages, I think they may be less common than they were (or maybe it's because I don't go to France so often!)

They always looked like motorised sofas to me.

 

[Alex321]

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.

Not that easy to get legal ones in this country. They are available, but a large majority of bicycle lights sold in the UK are not actually valid as the legally required lights, because they don't have the relevant BS marking (or equivalent).

 

[Ming the Merciless]

does avoid persistent wealthy offenders employing legal teams and keeping thei license "because of the need for their charity work" (or just personal hardship).

No hardship to a wealthy person. They will have a chauffeur. The wealthy person doesn’t need a licence.

 

[PaulSB]

Whilst I have never worn headphones cycling there does seem a little bit of hypocrisy since it is allowed to drive a car with the windows close,d and some people even have the radio on!

On a motorcycle, it is foolish to ride without earplugs (as well as the foam of your helmet)
if you don't want hearing damage

I see your point. I imagine the counter is that neither motorists or motorcyclists can use hearing to help sense danger. Both rely entirely on sight.

I don't use any form of earpiece because I don't/want or need the distraction from music, phone calls etc. I happen to think blocking out sound reduces a cyclist's natural awareness, thus increasing our vulnerability. I can't claim that's my reason for not using an earpiece.

 

[Andy in Germany]

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.

I have been known to cross the border by mistake on occasion.

 

[bluenotebob]

I haven't seen one for ages, I think they may be less common than they were (or maybe it's because I don't go to France so often!)

They're a bit less prevalent but there are still plenty of them about .. usually driving at around 20kph

 

[Psamathe]

Whilst I have never worn headphones cycling there does seem a little bit of hypocrisy since it is allowed to drive a car with the windows close,d and some people even have the radio on!

Worst and very common is joggers wearing (and using) headphones, oblivious to the world around them, jogging straight across roads at junctions without looking.

Worst maybe is joggers in France on the voie verts, jogging down the middle of the path (blocking you), music loud enough that they can't hear your bell, can't hear you clapping, can't hear you shouting.

I've no idea about the accident rates with joggers.

Ian

 

[The Crofted Crest]

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.

Have you see the new film? It's rather good!


View: https://youtu.be/evoYNCdZGOQ?si=ccRGC3N_qS76x1qR

 

[ColinJ]

Worst and very common is joggers wearing (and using) headphones, oblivious to the world around them, jogging straight across roads at junctions without looking.

Or pedestrians using their phones... I spotted a teenager texting as she walked towards a crossing yesterday. I anticipated that she would walk out onto it in front of me without looking up so I slowed down in anticipation and stopped when she did, as did a car coming the other way. Death Wish 2024!