Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Europe
Europe Topics specific to Western and Eastern Europe, from UK to the Russian border, and south-east to Turkey.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Like Tree4Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #16  
Old 28 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
But other motorists don't bother to flash to warn you of fixed camera sites - which is what is all most Sat Navs can tell you about.
(back to square one!)
Yep, that's what I had in mind with my edit to my last post but I couldn't type any more at the time

The French fixed sites are not too obvious compared with the UK day glow yellow markings and use of overhead gantries on major roads, but I wouldn't worry about them too much - just personal to me, but the speed limits on the French major roads are good enough for me to make progress. Besides, those fixed sites are not manned so no one is actually there to see a GPS in use.

Just to develop that radar comment of mine; Le Flic (spelling?) have a range of a few KM so they like to set up on those delightful very long straight stretches of road whereby the motorist is very likely not looking that far ahead and/or is not wearing their glasses at the time!!
Hence I take those stretches fairly cautiously when there are no vehicles coming in the opposite direction that could provide warning.
Also, in some cases/areas, they are reputed to favour setting up on Sunday mornings (when everyone is on their best behaviour going to church??).
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #17  
Old 28 Feb 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 126
I've been driving in France regularly for over 10 years now, and have been flashed by French fixed cameras many times in my UK registered car. Never had a ticket.

According to this website Caught speeding in France | Speed cameras in France it's only Luxembourg that are linked up with France in terms of sharing registration data. As with anything posted on a forum or a website, make up your own mind whether you believe it or not. All the fixed cameras I've seen are forward facing anyway so can't get motorbikes.
Reply With Quote
  #18  
Old 28 Feb 2012
Redboots's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: On the border - NE FR
Posts: 865
Quote:
Originally Posted by -ralph- View Post
I've seen are forward facing anyway so can't get motorbikes.
Plenty around with forward and rear facing units in the same box.
Round here, all fixed sites have a warning sign telling you that for your comfort and safety, there is a camera ahead and if it records bikes as well as cars/trucks.
They do not tell you how far distant it is.

There was supposed to be a campaign of sign removal but it has not happened... Hard to justify it as a safety device if you don't know its there and therefore don't stick below the limit.

GPS wise, if you are that bothered/paranoid, get the new, re-titled speed cam database

From 1/7/2012 you will also have to carry your own breathalyser... mine might get broken under the seat of the bike

John
__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
Reply With Quote
  #19  
Old 1 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 49
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots View Post
From 1/7/2012 you will also have to carry your own breathalyser... mine might get broken under the seat of the bike

John
Only saw this recently, and also mentioned on Top Gear on Sunday. Will this apply to bikes as well? And can you use any old cheap and nasty ebay one?

And John can you just confirm the hi-viz thing? It does not apply to bikes bigger than 125cc? I am just getting confused now
Reply With Quote
  #20  
Old 1 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
It might be a good idea to wear a dayglow yellow overvest as car drivers have to carry in France now. They only cost 2-3 euros, and by wearing one now you will be signalling compliance with the law to the cops. so provided you dont rattle through a built up area with loud exhausts you stand a good chance of travelling unmolested.

do not crease the rice paper grasshopper
Reply With Quote
  #21  
Old 4 Mar 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 381
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw View Post
It might be a good idea to wear a dayglow yellow overvest as car drivers have to carry in France now. They only cost 2-3 euros, and by wearing one now you will be signalling compliance with the law to the cops. so provided you dont rattle through a built up area with loud exhausts you stand a good chance of travelling unmolested.

do not crease the rice paper grasshopper
Personally if the law did say I have to ride with a HiViz vest I'd buy a bike friendly one with a zip at the front. I hate the idea of the cheapo ones with a little bit of velcro at the front, which will end up flapping in the breeze. But since the requirement seems to only be a small amount of reflective material and no HiViz at all then I'll just wear the compliant jacket I have. If it wasn't I'd maybe buy a suitable armband. (Only going from the link I put up previously for this info.)

Reply With Quote
  #22  
Old 4 Mar 2012
Redboots's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: On the border - NE FR
Posts: 865
Quote:
Originally Posted by crapxxxx View Post
Only saw this recently, and also mentioned on Top Gear on Sunday. Will this apply to bikes as well? And can you use any old cheap and nasty ebay one?
Not known but it will probably have to have a "NF" stamp on it somewhere... Like the old BSI kitemark

Quote:
Originally Posted by crapxxxx View Post
And John can you just confirm the hi-viz thing? It does not apply to bikes bigger than 125cc? I am just getting confused now
There is no requirement to carry OR wear a hi-viz anything on a motorcycle, except on your helmet, if you LIVE here . For next year they have lined up the use of a 50 square centimeter area band of reflex or hi-viz armband or band on the upper part of the body. Still not clarified on whether its hi-viz or reflex, or indeed if it has to be on the arm or body.

Its all cock.

Cheers,
John
__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
Reply With Quote
  #23  
Old 4 Mar 2012
Redboots's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: On the border - NE FR
Posts: 865
Quote:
Originally Posted by oldbmw View Post
It might be a good idea to wear a dayglow yellow overvest ...by wearing one now you will be signalling compliance with the law to the cops.

No, no, no... There is no law to comply with! and you will just be adding to their twisted ideas by them saying "see, lots of bikers wear them, lets make them ALL wear them"

John
__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
Reply With Quote
  #24  
Old 4 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 49
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots View Post
Its all cock.

Cheers,
John
Reply With Quote
  #25  
Old 18 Mar 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Back in the Garage..regrouping.
Posts: 247
After all that - It's still a great place to ride.

Paul
Reply With Quote
  #26  
Old 18 Mar 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 404
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots View Post

Some sort of reflective/hi-viz armband will be required from next Jan... unless we change their minds.



Cheers,
John

The HUBB won't change their minds, it needs political lobbying of a serious nature.
So send some membership money here:
Motorcycle Action Group

Don't mess about, join up right now. Lobbying of any sort is excruciatingly expensive. (That's on purpose, so that hardly anyone can afford to do it).


Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
All things are possible.

The French moto fraternity had a spectacular protest success many years back by getting Autoroute tolls reduced from 100% of the car rate to about 55%.

My Autoroute toll protest continues.
At manned toll booths - I stop - switch off engine - remove visor - (and helmet, switch off i-pod and remove ear phones or ear plugs, if feeling particularly bloody minded and there are long queues) - smile and go through usual French introductory pleasantries - remove gloves - unzip jacket - unzip overtrouser top - find money in inner trouser pocket - carefully count it out - carefully check change and receipt - put remaining money, change and receipt in inner trouser pocket - zip up over trousers - zip up jacket - replace ear phones/plugs and helmet (if previously removed) - put on gloves - offer my thanks and farewells - adjust visor - start engine - carefully move forward.
Don't know if you know this Tony, but a MAG campaign followed exactly this method at the Dartford Crossing some years ago. Sometimes with quite a few bikes in line. It was quite fun.
We added the extra ingredients of dropping coins, only having a 20 pound note, dropping gloves, and any other creative thing you could think of.

Most importantly, it worked, Dartford was made free. It also worked, if my memory is correct, on the Severn Bridge and a tunnel up north, maybe the Tyne.

But someone has to organise these things, or get the people organised, otherwise the machine of government continues unhindered.
__________________
TTR250 - London to Cape Town
Reply With Quote
  #27  
Old 19 Mar 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,598
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots View Post
No, no, no... There is no law to comply with! and you will just be adding to their twisted ideas by them saying "see, lots of bikers wear them, lets make them ALL wear them"

John
You misunderstood me or I explained it badly. by wearing a reflective vest on a bike you are over complying, so it might make them think your satnav will be entirely legal. the new satnavs now seem to just state that the sites of the radar camera are now danger spots. so no real difference in practice
Reply With Quote
  #28  
Old 22 Mar 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: England
Posts: 52
The latest software update on my 660 Zumo has removed all reference to camera locations...
Reply With Quote
  #29  
Old 22 Mar 2012
Redboots's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: On the border - NE FR
Posts: 865
Quote:
Originally Posted by McCrankpin View Post
The HUBB won't change their minds, it needs political lobbying of a serious nature.

The "we" is the French bikers, organised by the FFMC - [Fédération Française des Motards en Colère] as the laws pertain to France.

More demos are organised for this weekend. The 24th in the department towns - Limoges, Le Mans etc and on Sunday the 25th its the turn of Paris so if you fancy a ride this weekend, pick one from the list: Manifs moto des 24 et 25 mars 2012 : les lieux de rendez-vous - Moto Mag : actu, essais moto et scooter, occasions

Always good fun and make the demos in the UK look a bit tame

John
__________________
Nostradamus Ate My Hamster
Reply With Quote
  #30  
Old 22 Mar 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: London
Posts: 404
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redboots View Post
and on Sunday the 25th its the turn of Paris so if you fancy a ride this weekend, pick one from the list: Manifs moto des 24 et 25 mars 2012 : les lieux de rendez-vous - Moto Mag : actu, essais moto et scooter, occasions

Always good fun and make the demos in the UK look a bit tame

John
Yep, They know how to do these things properly over in France.

I don't remember what the year was, but a few MAG members went over there to support a Paris protest against a new insurance regime that would seriously disadvantage riders. Something to do with 'no-fault insurance' I think.

We were efficiently marshalled up at Bois de Vincennes, don't know how many thousands of us, then commenced a very slow circuit of the Peripherique. So slow, we stopped for about 30 minutes every now and again, until the whole Peripherique was blocked.

At one stoppage we abandoned the bikes on the roadway, walked about 100 mtrs away and all lay down on the tarmac.
We lay there long enough for all the helicopter news crews to get all the footage they wanted.
Imagine that happening in the North Circular or M25!

I think around the last stoppage, we were all handed a balloon each, told to blow it up, walk to the bridge just ahead and tie them to the parapet. Thousands of balloons for another spectacular photo set-piece.
And no cars moved anywhere.

Great times - maybe you remember the year?

Can't do 25th March, am doing this: http://www.wasp.bwf-ivv.org.uk/Stumble_poster_2012.pdf
__________________
TTR250 - London to Cape Town
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Not-to-be-missed routes northern France? IronArse Europe 5 23 Apr 2012 22:42
Overstaying 60 day 'Greencard' in Europe with U.K insurance *Touring Ted* Trip Paperwork 37 2 Apr 2012 15:59
F800GS .. bad fuel warning .. don't let one tank of bad fuel end your trip _CY_ BMW Tech 4 4 Feb 2012 23:15
UK to France - Ferry or train? MM17 Europe 25 28 Jan 2012 13:50

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:23.