Capote deux

[2 wheeled tourist]

150cm[sup]2[/sup]?

come on, work it out, its a 6"x4" panel, 2 fag packets. and doesnt have to be in one patch, so can be made into graphics, writing, a logo, whatever. some people are ultra-anal over nothing.

makes me laugh, probably the same people up in arms over the guy's son riding in a shell suit (not smart, but completely legal) are complaining that another country, not even our own, makes you stick a shiny fag packet on your back.

the ever stupider thing about it is between belt and shoulders is exactly where the topbox will hide it!

My Hornet doesn't have a Top Box

[East Coast]

Since Moto Al's discussion on the changes in French motoring requirements has now, understandably, been locked I thought I'd try to start again with a clean slate as the regulations will affect those of us crossing the channel in the coming months.

To kick things off here's a update on a similar thread over in the HUBB site -

GPSs and speedcameras in France

There does seem to be some debate over whether its just active radar detectors or Sat-Navs with POI camera locations that are outlawed, but contributors actually living there say it's only the former.

There's also some info on all the other stuff - hi-viz, first aid kits, bulbs etc. As I understand it, at the moment, on a bike, you don't have to have any hi-viz or carry bulbs or first aid stuff but you do have to have - legal stuff like licence, insurance, V5 log book, GB sticker or Europlate and adapted lights. It's in a car you have to add the other bits.

Anyone know if any of the biking organisations - BMF, MAG or anyone else has tried to draw all of this together through official channels rather than just leaving it for us to muddle through on a self help basis?

IMHO, post like this could be detrimental to biking and the ABR forum, in my opinion they should be locked as soon as they are spotted.

Since Moto Al's discussion on the changes in French motoring requirements has now, understandably, been locked I thought I'd try to start again with a clean slate as the regulations will affect those of us crossing the channel in the coming months.

Reference?

To kick things off here's a update on a similar thread over in the HUBB site -

GPSs and speedcameras in France

How is that helpful?

There does seem to be some debate over whether its just active radar detectors or Sat-Navs with POI camera locations that are outlawed, but contributors actually living there say it's only the former.

Debate is what this thread has turned into! Fact would be more useful!

There's also some info on all the other stuff - hi-viz, first aid kits, bulbs etc. It's in a car you have to add the other bits.

Who says you need to carry a first aid kit in your car?

Anyone know if any of the biking organisations - BMF, MAG or anyone else has tried to draw all of this together through official channels rather than just leaving it for us to muddle through on a self help basis?

The french highway code? Maybe the relevant sections could be reproduced in the ABR magazine?

For the love of biking, will everyone please consider that they are fueling rumor when replying to posts like this. Many thanks for reading.

[backofbeyond]

Well I have to say that the last post has surprised me. When I brought the topic up it was a simple request to try and bring under one heading the changes in French motoring law and how they affect anyone visiting that country. If you visit France either on two wheels or four you're subject the law of that land and there, as here, ignorance of those laws is no excuse. How that can be a contentious issue and "detrimental to biking" is beyond me.

[East Coast]

Well I have to say that the last post has surprised me. When I brought the topic up it was a simple request to try and bring under one heading the changes in French motoring law and how they affect anyone visiting that country. If you visit France either on two wheels or four you're subject the law of that land and there, as here, ignorance of those laws is no excuse. How that can be a contentious issue and "detrimental to biking" is beyond me.

If you visit France either on two wheels or four you're subject the law of that land and there, as here, ignorance of those laws is no excuse.

Are you suggesting that I don't know that I am subject to french law while traveling in France?

How that can be a contentious issue and "detrimental to biking" is beyond me.

Simply put, you are scaremongering and that is the contentious issue! NOT the degree of ignorance towards a mixture of factual and fictitious laws as you are suggesting it is!

and "detrimental to biking" is beyond me.

Your original post was based on nothing more than hearsay and rumor and the debate that ensued only served to fuel that rumor even further across the internet!

Why is this detrimental to biking? Supposing I decided out of thin air to say that it was illegal to carry a pillion passenger in Italy or riders had to carry a spare chain in Germany or maybe even that speed limiters were to going to become law across Europe, it could quite quickly become a viral epidemic of the digital sort, just like most of the stuff that has been banded around and exaggerated about French regs.

Now imagine that a law maker in government picks up on these rumors as a good idea, and at around the same time so does his European counterparts, then all of a sudden what started as fictitious rumor is introduced as a new law and where does that get everyone? I don't want to have a speed limiter fitted to my bike!

If you are going to post stuff like this in future, please get your facts straight first as it really isn't helpful otherwise!

[backofbeyond]

OK, now we know where you stand. Let's chuck this open to debate - are we fueling future restrictions with this sort of discussion or should it not be mentioned for fear of giving the politicians ideas?

[moto al]

OK, now we know where you stand. Let's chuck this open to debate - are we fueling future restrictions with this sort of discussion or should it not be mentioned for fear of giving the politicians ideas?

yes your dam right,i wish some people would lighten up.take care moto al

[Itchy]

a couple of questions, what about the reflective dots you are supposed to have on the helmet (is it law or not) and as I also went France last year and apart from the lights, pretty much just went, I'm now wondering how insurance companies will react if you have an accident and don't have all these things in place, we know how they like to find excuses not to pay out.
Maybe there should be a sticky with laws for each country as many peeps here will go to quite a few.

[CraigT]

B) I thought the original post by Moto al was simply highlighting a concern he had and making the other general users aware. He placed a post I assume to have some sort of response from those who maybe did have the facts surrounding the matter. What did happen was that he was berated for asking or raising the points which descended into personal attacks and an incredible level of general negativity which does nothing constructive and has the effect of just pissing everyone off.
Is the web forum not the place to ask or raise such matters and seek clarification from those in posession of the facts?

I for one found most of the information of use. As a minimum I am aware of the impending issues that may or may not be mandated for the tourists on bikes. For raising the matter in the first place I applaud Moto al. For raising it again I applaud back of beyond. Their intentions were clearly for the benefit of the group. Whereas some of the responses warrant nothing other than a script for Prozac.

Keep asking the questions guys. And maybe somebody with the right answer can offer some clear facts or direct all of us towards the right answers. I'm no use at pub quizzes. But may be able to throw a few helpful hints in. However the general pessimistic tone of some responses would genuinley put me off contributing. This is not the way I'd like the online community should behave.
Its an age old adage... If you don't have anything good to say... (I'd like to add a smiley here to lighten the mood but the blackberry won't let me!). Should I ask the forum or will I get shot down due to my ignorance in smart fones using web access? Maybe I'll just ask the kids.

[Selous]

My general understanding of the facts are, some new French Regulations are to be en forced in 2013.
these regulations include, the wearing of Hi Vis material with a certain coveradge, (I forget size).

There is some confusion about carrying Breathalyzer Light bulbs & warning triangle, be it for just car or car & bike or just bike.

So far I have not seen anything to indicate this / these laws to be passed till 2013.

As for Back beyond, I think he is right in asking the question to try to clrifly the situation & people berating each other is not helpfull & this forum has never been like that, it has always been in good form.

May I suggest someone from the Forum, who lives in France such as, (Phil in France), sorry Phil, who actully lives in France, full time find out the law & pass on the information & posts accordingly.

[davsato]

My Hornet doesn't have a Top Box

edited it just for you 2WT!