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What are the rules for electric bikes in France?

E-bicycles have some special rules compared to their non-electric counterparts. Here's what you need to know for riding an electric bicycle in France.

Published: 29 September 2023 15:57 CEST
What are the rules for electric bikes in France?
A man holding an umbrella walks past an electric bicycle in Paris. (Photo by Philippe LOPEZ / AFP)

There’s no doubt that cycling is a great and environmentally friendly way to get around towns and cities across France, especially with the proliferation of dedicated cycle lanes following the pandemic.

And, these days, electric bicycles are an increasingly common sight on the country’s highways, byways, and greenways, as people change their short-distance commuting habits in more eco-friendly ways.

But there are rules about owning and using an electric bicycle in France.

READ ALSO Paris rolls out new ‘street code’ to help cyclists, cars and pedestrians share the roads

The most common are EU-wide, and relate to the power of the battery – but there are also age limits.

No one under the age of 14 is allowed to be in control of an electric bicycle on public roads in France. There are no such age-limits in force for off-road cycling, or for riding around on private land.

Most countries across the EU adopt a similar minimum age – while Switzerland and Belgium have set a lower age-limit of 16.

In most European countries and areas, to be considered cycles or pedal-assisted bicycles, electric bikes must comply with the requirements of the European directive 2002/24/EC.

  • The engine at rotation speed must not exceed 0.25kW(250W);
  • The assistance of the electric motor must be functional only until reaching 25 km/h;
  • Pedal assistance must only be triggered if the cyclist is pedalling and must automatically cut off when pedalling stops.

Higher power-assisted cycles that can travel up to 45km/h are considered to be the same as electric mopeds, meaning the rider must have a licence, insurance, and wear suitable protective clothing, including a helmet and gloves, while using the vehicle on the road.

READ ALSO How close is Paris to its goal of being a 100% cycle-friendly city?

Anyone caught on French roads using a modified electric bicycle that can travel at higher speeds could face a fine of up to €30,000.

Other rules

As with traditional bicycles sold in France, electric bicycles must be assembled and adjusted before they can be purchased. Certain adjustments can be left to the buyer, such as fitting wheels, inflating tyres, etc;

They must be equipped with front and rear lights and reflectors at the front, rear and side, as well as an audible warning device;

Bicycles must have two independent braking systems, each acting on a different wheel (the back-pedalling braking system, blocking the movement of the rear wheel if necessary, used alone, does not comply with the decree);

READ ALSO What are France’s rules for bringing bikes on the train?

And, since January 2021, all bicycles sold must be marked with an identification number on the frame at first sale. Dealers must collect the purchaser’s contact details to register them in the unique national file of identified cycles. This identification number must also be printed on the invoice. 

The new owner then receives an e-mail with a login and password to connect to his personal space. They can then change their contact details and the status of their bike (in service, stolen, lost or sold on). 

Similar to traditional bicycles, electric bicycles are able to ride within dedicated cycle paths and lanes.

Cycle helmets

In France, cyclists aged under 12 are required by law to wear a cycle helmet. Because of the age restrictions, therefore, a helmet is not required for anyone riding an electric bicycle on the road in France.

It is, however, recommended that older cyclists wear one. Helmets sold in France must have a CE mark, showing they conform to EU regulations.

READ MORE: Reader Question: What should I do if my bicycle is stolen in France?

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PARIS

Huge new River Seine stormwater facility opens ahead of Paris Olympics

It has no spire, stained glass windows or nave but the cavernous underground stormwater facility inaugurated on Thursday in the French capital ahead of the Paris Olympics has been compared to Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Published: 2 May 2024 12:35 CEST
Huge new River Seine stormwater facility opens ahead of Paris Olympics

The giant new structure, burrowed 30 metres under the ground next to a train station, is a key part of efforts to clean up the River Seine, which is set to host swimming events during the Paris Games in July and August.

“It’s a real cathedral. It’s something exceptional,” Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo said on Thursday as she walked on the bottom of the vast cylinder-shaped construction that has taken more than three years to complete.

Deputy Paris mayor Antoine Guillou has compared the project in western Paris, near the Austerlitz transport hub, to Notre-Dame, which is under reconstruction after a devastating fire in 2019.

“I like to say that we’re building two cathedrals,” he told reporters during a visit in mid-March.

“There’s the one above ground that everyone knows – Notre-Dame. And then there’s the one underground.”

Notre-Dame will not be ready in time for the Paris Games, as promised by President Emmanuel Macron immediately after the inferno that tore through the 850-year-old masterpiece.

But its spire has been restored and workers are busy working on the roof ahead of its grand re-opening in December.

Fortunately for Olympic open-water swimmers, the stormwater facility is set to enter service in June after tests later this month.

Its role will be to store rainwater in the event of a heavy downpour, reducing the chances of the capital’s sewerage system needing to discharge its pathogen-rich contents directly into the Seine.

Paris’ sanitation system is under immense scrutiny following pledges from Olympic organisers to use the Seine for the marathon swimming and triathlon during the Games, which begin on July 26th.

Cleaning up the river has also been promoted as one the key legacy achievements of Paris 2024, with Hidalgo intending to create three public bathing areas in its waters next year.

One of the features of the sanitation system – which dates from the mid 19th century – is that it collects sewage, domestic waste water and rain water in the same underground tunnels before directing them to treatment plants.

In the event of a major rainstorm, the system becomes overwhelmed, which leads to valves being opened that release excess water containing untreated sewage directly into the Seine.

In the 1990s, this led to around 20 million cubic metres of dirty water containing sewage being discharged every year, according to figures from the mayor’s office.

In recent years, after a multi-decade investment and modernisation programme, the figure has fallen to around 2.0 million m3.

On average, discharges occur around 12 times a year at present.

But with the new facility this number should fall to around two, city officials say.

A major storm or a succession of heavy rains could still lead to the cancellation of the Olympic swimming events.

But chief organiser Tony Estanguet stressed on Thursday that there were contingency plans in place, including being able to delay the races by several days if necessary.

“With all the measures that have been put in place and the planning, we are very confident that the competitions will take place,” he told reporters while he inspected the stormwater facility.

Three Olympic test events had to be cancelled last July and August following heavy rain.

Some swimmers, including Olympic champion Ana Marcela Cunha from Brazil, have called for a Plan B in case the Seine is too dirty.

Olympic open water swimming has frequently been plagued by pollution concerns.

At the end of the test event in 2019 ahead of the Tokyo Olympics, swimmers protested against the quality of the water in Tokyo Bay.

At the Rio Olympics in 2016, the prospect of swimming in the polluted Guanabara Bay also made headlines.

Hidalgo and President Emmanuel Macron have promised to take a dip in the Seine before the Paris Games to demonstrate it is safe – just over a century since public swimming was banned there in 1923.

Hidalgo said this would happen in June.

“We’ll give you the date. We’re going to set a time range to do it because in June you can have good weather but there can also be storms,” she said.

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