Clicky

Cycling Laws in France and French Road Signs - what you need to know!

Cycling Laws in France

Cycling Laws in France
Picture - allaboutlastweekend .blogspot.com

Cycling Laws in France
What you really need to know before you cycle in France

You’ll need to understand the cycling laws in France and what French road signs mean when cycling in France.  We’ve summarised the important points for you in this blog post.  The cycling rules in France are straightforward so enjoy and stay safe!

France has a deserved reputation for welcoming cyclists.  Want to sample an amazing cycling experience in France?  Then check out our great Loire Valley Cycling Holidays !

Estimated reading time: 9 minutes

The basic rules for cycling in France

Ride a bike that is roadworthy!  Your bike should have working brakes, correctly inflated tyres with good tread, a bell that can be heard and reflectors front, rear and on the pedals.  The law can levy a €11 fine per bike, rising to €33 if not paid in 30 days.

At night use front and rear lights and in poor visibility wear a high visibility jacket  – €22 – €75 fine if you don’t.  After dark, don’t cycle two abreast.

If there is a cycle path then use it and don’t cycle on the pavement, unless it is specifically marked for bikes (see below).

What are the cycling laws in France regarding drinking and cycling?

We’re often asked by our cycling holiday guests about drinking laws and bikes.  Well, cycling laws in France are the same as for motorists in this respect with similar penalties.  If you are blind drunk and causing a danger to others you’ll be paying a fine – so don’t over-do your wine-tasting! In fact the official limit for a cyclist is between 0.25 and 0.4 mg/l of exhaled air when taking a breath test. The fine for being under the influence of alcohol is €135.

Are helmets compulsory when cycling in France?

Helmets are not compulsory for adults when cycling in France, but are compulsory for children under 12 years of age.  Adults accompanying the child can be fined between €90 and €135 depending on the situation.

Making helmets compulsory for adults was proposed again by the French senate in January 2022 and once again rejected. Senetors were generally in favour of helmets, but felt that making them mandatory would send a message that riding is not safe.

More and more adults do wear a helmet, certainly younger riders are more inclined to wear one as a matter of course.

Listen Carefully!

It is forbidden to wear any device on the ear that may emit sound – so earphones, headphones or ear buds. I can only think that riders on the Tour de France must have an exemption!

Meanwhile the use of hand-held telephones is also prohibited. In case of non-compliance with either of these rules, you are liable to a fixed fine of 135 €.

Judging by the numbers of people who ride with earphones in any major french city I’d say this cycling law isn’t strictly enforced. However , if it led to an accident with a pedestrian then I’m sure the fine would be levied. There is more of a campaign to make people aware of this law, but the authorities do seem to be fighting a losing battle.

Summary of Fines

Here’s a summary of the fines that are in the cycling section of the highway code.

  • Lack of lighting: €11
  • Changing direction without prior warning: €35
  • Cycling with more than 2 people abreast: €35
  • Having a passenger on your bike (without a seat attached to the vehicle): €35
  • Towing someone else (apart from in a tag-along or trailer designed for such a purpose) : €35
  • Exceeding the speed limit: €35
  • Failure to stop at an orange light:
  • €35 Failure to brake: €68
  • Driving on the pavement in built-up areas: €135
  • Holding a telephone or wearing earphones: €135
  • Driving in the wrong direction: €135
  • Failure to stop at a red light: €135
  • Failing to stop at a stop sign: €135
  • Driving under the influence of alcohol (between 0.25 and 0.4 mg/l of exhaled air): €135
  • Speed inappropriate to the circumstances: €135
  • Overtaking without prior warning: €135
  • Failure to give way to pedestrians: €135

In French cycling law – Who is to blame?

The big difference when cycling in France is where the blame lies in the event of an accident involving a cyclist.  In all instances, the fault will automatically rest with the the driver of the larger vehicle (be it a car, bus or whatever) and the driver will have to prove that the cyclist was doing something really stupid that resulted in the accident.  The result is that 90% of cars that pass you give you a wide berth and don’t push the limits – knowing the law is on the cyclist’s side.

cycling gifts for christmas

Beautiful Gifts for Cyclists

chicavelo.com

French road signs-The important ones!

France does have some signs that are specific to France.  We’ve found these French road signs to be the most important ones when cycling.

Mandatory cycle lane

panneau piste cyclable obligatoire

This circular sign marks the beginning and end of a mandatory bike path. Use the path as indicated!

Advisory cycle lane

panneau piste cyclable conseillée

A rectangular sign marks the start and end of an advisory bike path or cycle lane. The local council is advising you to use this lane for your own safety.

One way

Cycling in France - One way road sign, except for bikes!
Cycling in France – One way road sign, except for bikes!

Here’s an easy one.  It’s the standard one way street sign, but the text underneath is letting you know that, if cycling, you can ignore the one way restriction.  You’ll see this in many towns.  In fact, it is law (but not everyone in France realises) that if you are in a 30kph area then cyclists can go up all one-way streets in the wrong direction.

You have priority

Cycling in France - Road sign - You do not have priority
Cycling in France – Road sign – You have priority

You will see this sign a lot on those long straight main roads here in France.  It means you have priority on this road, which is obvious isn’t it?

The subject of ‘priority’ is one of the most confusing of the cycling laws in France.  Not understanding the following signs can lead to some pretty hair-raising incidents!

You don’t have priority

Cycling in France - Road sign You have priority
Cycling in France – Road sign You do not have priority

So, this sign means you no longer have priority on the road – and sometimes when you are cycling along you would wonder, well why would that be??

This is where the fun can start!

Give way to the right!

Cycling in France - Equal priority road sign
Cycling in France – Give way to the right at the junction

And then you’ll approach one of these signs.  Crossroad, junction? 

It actually means that at the next junction, there is no priority, but in practice you always give way to the right – ‘priorite a droit’.  So treat this as a give way to the right sign! Don’t be surprised if someone ignores the sign – never assume the driver knows it is a priority to the right junction.

Priority to the right

Cycling in France - Priority a droite

There are even specific signs explaining this aspect of cycling laws in France as you enter towns and villages – spelling out in BIG letters that priority a droit (give way to the right) is in action.  The purpose we think is to create so much confusion that you are forced to cycle and drive with more caution!

So, if you’re ever enjoying your cycling in France and are cut up by someone coming out of a side road from the right —- before you throw your bike at them and start shouting, just make sure you had priority in the first place!

More Cycling Signs

We’ve written a specific post on cycling signs in France – see here.

Cycling Laws in France

These are the main cycling rules in France and we’ll keep updating this post as new rules come into force – enjoy your cycling!

If you’re bringing your bike to France and don’t want to get caught out with a big toll on the Autoroute then check this post out – could save you some money!

Loire Valley Discovery Tour

Cycling Holidays France Loire Valley Cycling Tours

Loire Valley Cycling Breaks

Loire Cycling Holidays in France - Short Loire Valley Cycle Tour

Group Cycling Holidays

The French Government Website

https://www.securite-routiere.gouv.fr/reglementation-liee-aux-modes-de-deplacements/velo/regles-de-circulation-pour-les-cyclistes

By Jon Lethbridge

Jon, along with Alison created Loire Life Cycling in 2009. Moving to France in 2006 they spent two years renovating an Anjou farmstead Le Gue de Ray. Today Loire Life Cycling welcomes guests from all over the world including Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand, South Africa and the UK. There is nothing more Jon enjoys than showing off his adopted home - the lovely Loire Valley, France!