Riding in the EU
 

Hi, I have ridden in EU for a number of years.

A mate of mine just came back from France, apparently he was stopped (on bike), to see if he had his Hi Vis Vest, first aid kit & Warning Triangle?

I was not aware they where required on a motorbike.

Can anyone confirm this, I have been looking at sites but can not see any thing saying we do need to carry.

This is from the AA website:


The French Road Safety Department has confirmed that:
From 1st October 2008 all drivers in France, including drivers of vehicles registered outside of France, must have one warning triangle and one reflective jacket in their vehicle.

This regulation, which we understand does not apply to two and three wheeled vehicles, will be enforced with on-the-spot fines of between €90 and €135.


Doesn't say definitively that bikes don't need them. Just need to wait until someone living in France comes up with an on-the-spot answer.

[url=http://www2.securiteroutiere.gouv.fr/infos-ref/vehicule/gilet_et_triangle.html]Le site de la S

(Sorry, HUBB is not allowing clear copy/ link to above French government website.)
That site says only "all vehicles," doesn't distinguish bikes from cars.

It's also a "rule"--or at least strongly recommended--in Germany and some other EU countries. ADAC (auto club), auto stores, autobahn stops, sell yellow vests & tiny first-aid kits that fit 'most anywhere on a bike, even under the seat. Haven't seen/ found a "red triangle" that folds/ fits easily on a bike.

Also never seen this "rule" enforced by cops as a stand-alone offense.

If you're stopped/ broken down on side of road, it may help to wear a yellow vest, if you're not otherwise wearing "hi-viz" gear.

Looked at courtfisher's link the securite routiere website -

"les deux-roues motorises .... ne sont pas soumis a cette obligation"

eg motorbikes (also trikes & quad-bikes are mentioned) are not subject to this rule

So why did selous' mate get a ticket???
I've heard stories of local police being a bit behind on new/changed laws but this rule has been around a year or two

How about this helmet cover
Motorcycle Helmet Bag Break-down Triangle

Excellent....thanks!

Important bit of information: this is not an EU regulation but local laws. Some countries require you to carry high visibility vests for drivers and pillions (France, Austria, Italy driver only, etc.), some require you to carry at least one spare bulb for every bulb on the bike (Austria), others require first aid kits only (Germany).

On the other hand I am not aware of any country that requires motorbikes to carry warning triangles. My guess is that a) the police officer had a really bad day or b) the money went straight into his personal retirement and good wine fund.

I've also seen something like this

First Aid-Kit for Number Plate

which when you opened it had a small reflective triangle on the inside of the door. Hein Gereck wanted about £30, but no longer list it. Too small really but better than nothing?!


From some English friends living in France I've been told that the police will stop and fine you for things when they are low on the months quota etc. For things such as not stopping long enough at a stop sign?! How long are you supposed to, 10 secs, 30 secs?!?
The thing is, they'll ask you to sign a form describing the incident that they will have filled in (in french of course). If you are a little unsure, perhaps he is correct such as here with the triangle, you sign. French law, so I'm told, means you are guilty first until proven otherwise, the reverse of the UK. You sign, you are admitting guilt. You don't sign, because you are unsure (and I'm told you are under no obligation to), and it goes one step up the ladder for appraisal. That will mean the money won't go in his pocket, so he will really, really want you to sign. You stand your ground, and he may well tear it up, as he knows he's taking the mickey, he'll have more paperwork, and his boss won't be amused.
So I'm told anyway!

:)

Don't know about France but I did just that in the Czech Republic a few years ago. Worked like a charm, didn't have to pay a cop I didn't trust for an offence I didn't commit because I simply refused to accept the charge and demanded an official ticket. In my personal opinion France seems too organized and "western" to be that cheap... but then on the other hand desperate times call for desperate measures.

Hi,


First id kits are definitly not required on bikes in germany but on bikes in austria. Yellow vests laws are onely for trucks in austria and italy etc. Spare bulbs are required in CZ and autria.

LG, Tobi

You sure about that? The Austrian police stopped me last year ("Allgemein Verkehrskontrolle", they stopped every single bike but no cars) and asked for spare bulbs, first aid kit, and the vest.

Hi,

Im shure about first aid kid is not needet for motorbikes in germany (im german) but for cars. For Austria motorbikes need the first aid kit but no vest:

Benötige ich eine Warnweste im Ausland?

****
Sie müssen eine Warnweste im Fahrzeug mitführen und bei einem Unfall oder einer Panne auf der Autobahn/Autostraße/Landstraße auch anlegen, sofern Sie Ihr Auto verlassen, um z.B. ein Warndreieck aufzustellen. Es drohen Geldbußen ab 14 Euro.
Als Motorradfahrer sind Sie von der Warnwestenpflicht ausgenommen.

****

This does not say motorbikes dont have to wear one if you stop on a highway but it sais motorbikes dont need one. Same with italy.


Not shure about the spare bulbs...allways had some broken ones with me while traveling through austria so i could throw them away afterwards.

LG, Tobi

Driving while British?
 

I've frequently wondered whether there isn't a law on the French statute book against operating a motor vehicle while British.

This is mainly based on the number of times I know of where British registered vehicles have been pulled out of a moving queue of vehicles and fined for speeding, or where British vehicles have been stopped and given an inspection that went into more depth than even Germany's TUV.

Fluent French helps in such cases, but anything less and you will be fined.

All of this is a bit of a pain as there are few routes to the interesting parts of Europe that don't at least touch France.

Urban Dictionary: DWB

may now also mean "driving while British"--(in France, w/o fluency) :rolleyes2: