1
NEWS
French bikers ‘reflect' on new law
Legislation was recently passed in France, which will force all motorcyclists – including visitors -- to wear some reflective clothing between the waist and the shouldersClaude Guéant, the French Interior Minister who has fast-tracked his way to persona non grata status among the country’s motorcyclists with a series of unpopular and myopic ‘safety’ measures, is at it again, this time unveiling legislation which will force all bikers in France for January 1, 2013 to wear at least 125 cm2 of reflective clothing between the waist and the shoulders.
All riders, and that includes visitors to the country, will have to comply with the law or face a 68 euro ($A84) on-the-spot fine – and some demerit points to if you are a French citizen.
Motorcycling organisations have been quick to condemn the legislation, based on two main arguments: reflective clothing is not reflective during day light, and those who ride machines up to 125cc will be exempt from wearing any reflective clothing on the grounds that they don't ride a powerful enough bike to be considered dangerous on the roads.
But the absurd part is that in France, a large number of motorcyclists who ride a moped or a 125cc bike don't hold a full motorcycle licence.
French motorcyclists are also asking why car drivers not forced to apply a yellow sticker at the back (and front) of their vehicle to make them more visible, and want to know why they are constantly treated as irresponsible and rogue citizens?
It’s now pretty much a fair accompli that we’ll be seeing a repeat of the mass motorcycle demonstrations that were held in June, 2011, attended by over 100,000 motorcyclists and bringing the country to standstill.
And 2012 is a huge year, with the French presidential election campaign kicking into full swing before the election on April 22.
Already motorcycle riders have to wear four mandatory reflective stickers on their helmet in France, as well as riding with their lights on – a law that was repealed in Australia in 1989.
Read the latest Bikesales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at the Bikesales Network's mobile site. Or download the all-new App.
Tags
Share this article
Written byBikesales Staff
See all articlesStay up to dateBecome a bikesales member and get the latest news, reviews and advice straight to your inbox.
Subscribe todayDisclaimer
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
Contact
Advertise with us
Local marketplaces
International marketplaces
Consent
Download the bikesales app
