French roads......... Please advise...

mrkano66

Hi..

Just loking into riding across France in the summer...
I can' seem to find any information on rules for riding on French roads....

Can anyone advise on were I could look????

FSR_XC

This what your after?

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/to ... Monaco.pdf

2Fast4Love

Surely that link is all about driving in France?

I did about 600k in France last Summer - stay off the motorways... ( :oops: ) thats about it I think.

ddraver

what exactly do you want to know? aint much different from here (in fact its miles miles better cos the french actually rather like cyclists!!)

redvee

Remember the dirve/ride on the wrong side of the road as I found out the wrong way. Was riding for 100 yards or metres with a van behind me wanting to overtake and when I looked behind me he was waving me onto the otherside of the road :oops:

inseine

Just be careful with the 'priority from the right' which still applies quite a bit in some regions. Basically, if you've not come across it before' it means you can be pootling through a village when someone can just pull out of what seems like a minor road entering the larger ones. In some cases these exits are totally obscured by buildings and the drivers don't even try to look/stop.

giant_man

Yeah i was gonna say, give priority from the right, as in the States, particularly roundabouts, hmmmmmmmm ...... I also agree with the posting above, signs are also not as clear or as large as we have over here.

twowheeledwriter

In the last year, I have cycled more than 4200km on French roads, exclusively in the Languedoc region.

First off, I can only compare this with my other main experience of cycling - commuting into Hammersmith across Richmond Pack and south-west London. Chalk and cheese springs to mind.

Here in France, the roads are quieter and even at peak hours relatively traffic free. Add to that the fact that there are so many small country roads to choose from, you can cycle for kilometre after kilometre without seeing any cars. In fact, on some Sunday mornings, I have seen more cyclists than cars.

I wouldn't necessarily claim that drivers are more cycle-friendly, but there are certainly more bikes about - most older men in bright lycra and on carbon road bikes. So, maybe the drivers are just more used to cyclists. The typical French driver likes speed and overtaking! So, you still have to exercise some caution, but if you choose the right roads, you'll have a great time.

2Fast4Love

Worth noting that both the 1-finger salute, and the 2-finger wave both mean roughly the same over there as they do in the UK, should the need arise.



All in all, I found it to be a very pleasant experience, hoteliers always seemed excited to see an english guy rocking up in my lycra, and always helpful stashing my bike away somewhere safe.

mrkano66

Thanks everyone for the sound advice..

Hi 2wheeld Writer...

I take it you spend alot of time in France????

I have been looking on GOOGLEWORLD and checking the roads out...... trying to get a rough idea of my trip........??

I take it the rules are the same, no riding on main express ways..??

I want to ride from Calais to Nice.... I think it's about 1300 miles??

I want ast roads, I'd like to be hitting 120 to 150 miles a day..... a lot I know, but I think I can do it..... so big open straight roads are a must.... What's my best leagal way...




Thanks

2Fast4Love

Very very basic on my part, but if you go Google Maps, then you get directions, and select "Walking" instead of "By car" - this obviously avoids the motorways.

1,084km, you can walk it in 9 days apparently!

Are you planning on taking maps? Or something like a Garmin Edge 705?

knedlicky

giant mancp wrote:

Yeah i was gonna say, give priority from the right, as in the States, particularly roundabouts, hmmmmmmmm ......

There’s no priority from the right at roundabouts in France, those on the roundabout have priority. Priority from the right at roundabouts was the old system there, but it was changed 9-10 years ago - although it took a couple of years for most French drivers to comply. The odd one still doesn't.

inseine

mrkano66, you're out by nearly a factor of two with the distance (more like 770 than 1300 miles) so you can take your time and stay off the big roads. You want to enjoy it afterall?

knedlicky

mrkano66 wrote:

Hi..
I can' seem to find any information on rules for riding on French roads....

Can anyone advise on were I could look????

The French equivalent of the Highway Code is called 'Code de la Route'. Here's a few things which are, I think, a bit different from things in the UK:

- The French Code has several requirements for bikes concerning reflectors (front, rear, side and pedal). But if not riding in fog, tunnels requiring lights, at dusk or in the dark, I imagine it may not matter if the short-term visitor doesn’t fully comply.

- Lighting legally acceptable in other EU countries is usually judged as also acceptable in France. However, it’s unclear whether lights of the flashing type (like the brand Freelights) meet the French Code concerning lighting. To avoid problems, I’d avoid using flashing lights.

- Cycle paths are recommended by the French Code, not obligatory, unless there is a sign banning cycling on the adjacent roadway. Also, the police can make you use a cycle path even if it isn’t obligatory, if they feel the situation warrants it.

- Riding on the pavement is allowed outside urban areas, but priority should be given to any pedestrians encountered and speed reduced if riding on the pavement through inhabited rural areas, like hamlets/villages.

inseine

The law says that at night you have to wear a gillet or the like with reflective panels. Mind you they also suggest that kids on mopeds wear a helmet, have lights and don't pull wheelies while riding through red lights :shock:

Felix-da-house-mouse

i cycled round the arc d triomphe, not very adviseable was a bit scary to say the least 7 lanes of pure madness!! and i mean madness!! think its scary on four wheels? try it on two? ooft scary biscuits :twisted: apart from that France awas a dream to ride in, and you quite often get hotties on bikes cycling around, i nearly crashed quite a few times because of that single reason so i'd say thats the biggest hazard. lo

mrkano66

Yeah, I had a reading in KM insread of miles..... So that's a relief..

So with my new distance,

anyone know any beautiful roads to take to fully get a feel for France?

From Calais to Nice...?

bahzob

The Michelin 1:200000 road atlas is great for route planning. If you steer clear of the red N roads and stick to yellow B or "white" C roads you should not go too far wrong.

The atlas also puts a green border along roads that are especially scenic (there's a lot of these) so aim to use these if direction/time permit.

Couple of other useful bits and pieces:
- Beware approaching large cities. While most of France is very cycle friendly these can be tricky to get into. Depending on direction it may mean using a main road and these can abruptly turn into pseudo motorways that bikes (officially) are banned from.
- During summer, especially, you may come across "rue barree" due to road works. French workmen are used to cyclists ignoring these and wont kick up a fuss (unless you ride over newly laid tarmac) so use your judgment if the deviation seems too long.
- Priorite a droite is as mentioned no longer in force on 99% of roundabouts. (There are some exceptions, there have to be because this is France..). However it is more common at junctions within in towns which may have no lines to indicate which direction has priority.

Not personally ridden Calais to Nice but know a man that has (and indeed most every other direction as well) so if you want suggestions for a specific route I could ask him for suggestions.

bahzob

PS,
One other thing that happens in France quite a lot, is that cars/ (and especially) lorries will give a short hoot on horn before overtaking you.

This is in fact them being nice to warn you so dont take offence.

Jonathan M

knedlicky wrote:

mrkano66 wrote:

Hi..
I can' seem to find any information on rules for riding on French roads....

Can anyone advise on were I could look????

The French equivalent of the Highway Code is called 'Code de la Route'. Here's a few things which are, I think, a bit different from things in the UK:

- The French Code has several requirements for bikes concerning reflectors (front, rear, side and pedal). But if not riding in fog, tunnels requiring lights, at dusk or in the dark, I imagine it may not matter if the short-term visitor doesn’t fully comply.

- Lighting legally acceptable in other EU countries is usually judged as also acceptable in France. However, it’s unclear whether lights of the flashing type (like the brand Freelights) meet the French Code concerning lighting. To avoid problems, I’d avoid using flashing lights.

- Cycle paths are recommended by the French Code, not obligatory, unless there is a sign banning cycling on the adjacent roadway. Also, the police can make you use a cycle path even if it isn’t obligatory, if they feel the situation warrants it.

- Riding on the pavement is allowed outside urban areas, but priority should be given to any pedestrians encountered and speed reduced if riding on the pavement through inhabited rural areas, like hamlets/villages.

I'm sure I've seen flashing LEDS on sale in French Decathlon stores, so it may be as the situation in the UK a few years ago, not quite legal but tolerated.

Also drivers sometimes seem to want cyclists to use cycle paths if they are available, I've often had such indicated to me by passing drivers, usually nicely, very occasionally less nicely.

Must stress I'm not an epxert on french road rules, the above are just my observations from the last 8 years holidays in france.

knackeredknees

I had my first cycling trip in France last summer, and by and large I would echo what everyone else has said, particularly

Couple of other useful bits and pieces:
- Beware approaching large cities. While most of France is very cycle friendly these can be tricky to get into. Depending on direction it may mean using a main road and these can abruptly turn into pseudo motorways that bikes (officially) are banned from.

you dont get a big motorway regulations sign on the N roads that are effectively motorways, just a little blue sign with a car on it about a foot square, you need to look for the signs indicating the route for cycles, mopeds and tractors. I speak from experince of coming out of St Malo and inadvertantly ending up on one such road.....not pleasant.

The other thing I would say is that whist French roads are generally a lot better surfaced than ours, I found that they seem to have a lot less grip when wet.

Enjoy!

firey1509

Knackerdknees I think we took the same route! Like everyone else I really enjoyed cycling in France, probably helped that it was in Brittany days before the Tour rolled through but it was a far more pleasant experience than road riding here. I did get disapproving looks for using a road bike on a mountain bike track. My French didn't stretch to "Look it's a better surface than 90% of the cycle routes where I live!"

harrywolper

mrkano66

I did the same route Calais to Nice back in Oct 07. Followed back roads about 95% of the way. If you have a Garmin 305 then I can post you the route. If you don't I can probably send it to you via GPX or make it available on bikeroutetoaster for you to have a look at. Route was about 720 miles (1,150kms) and I did it in 9 days as I did not have much light each day. Stayed in Logis hotel/hostels. Highest road was only 1400m (it can be much worse) and only main city I went through was Grenoble.

I think you can see my email address via this forum (maybe?)

Regards, Harry

nicktheluddite

Anyone had any trouble due to NOT wearing a high-viz vest? Been stopped by cops?

Chirg

Just come back from a week of cycling in and around Cognac. French cars give you a lot more room than British ones. Almost every time something came past close it had a GB plate.

It has been said once before but watch out for the N roads. I was caught out by this a couple of times and it is very scary.

VTTBOSCOMBE

Hi - I live in France, and If you want to play around with "viaMichelin" as opposed to Google maps - there is a selection on the route planner for " by Bike" - and so far it has selected some OK routes - ie mostly traffic lite; but still quite direct.

(Apologies if Googlemap has that feature too; but I don't use that)

Oh, just to re emphasise that "Priorité a Droite" thing - you can go through one village and you have right of way, and the next not - only way to see is just before the junction, is a triangular sign with a black X on it - that means watch out some mad only pappie with a flat cap in a 2CV is going to shoot out without looking.

There is the old 'Euro standard' Yellow diamond , with or without a black bar - when you enter a village ; but I always forget which is good or bad.

Philip S

Chirg wrote:

Just come back from a week of cycling in and around Cognac. French cars give you a lot more room than British ones. Almost every time something came past close it had a GB plate.

A quick word of defence for the Brit drivers on that - I was cycling on an A road in the Scottish Borders yesterday and didn't really have any problems from overtakers. However, the two vehicles that overtook closest to me (a little too close for my liking) turned out to be french camper vans. I was a little surprised by this, given the french reputation for being considerate of cyclists but, being left-hand drive, they did have the advantage of seeing exactly how much space they were leaving me. They didn't leave enough for my money, but they probably thought there was plenty of space.

Chirg

Chirg wrote:

Just come back from a week of cycling in and around Cognac. French cars give you a lot more room than British ones. Almost every time something came past close it had a GB plate.

Philip S wrote:

I was cycling on an A road in the Scottish Borders yesterday and didn't really have any problems from overtakers. However, the two vehicles that overtook closest to me (a little too close for my liking) turned out to be french camper vans.

I can only guess that it might be because in both case the driver is next to you, so they feel more confident in passing closer.