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CYCLING

The 18 cycling offences in France that could see you fined

In France, bicycles are also considered within the country's 'code de la route'. This means that there are several penalties you can incur if you fail to respect the rules.

Published: 12 January 2024 14:15 CET
The 18 cycling offences in France that could see you fined
In France there are many cycling offences that could end with a fine. (Photo by MEHDI FEDOUACH / AFP)

From having no lights at night to not using headphones while bicycling, there are several rules to be aware of when using a bicycle in France. 

Cyclists might not have heard of many of these rules and more often than not there is no police to issue fines. But there are in place and could lead to a fine. And it’s worth remembering that they in place to protect the safety of cyclists so worth respecting them.

It’s is worth keeping in mind that penalties in France are charged at the fixed-rate if paid without delay. However, if you do not pay within 45 days, you risk the fine being increased (majoré).

Fines range based on their ‘class’ (1 through 4, increasing based on severity) from €11 to €135.

It is also worth noting that some rules differ based on whether you are cycling in rural areas or in towns and cities. 

Cycling under the influence of alcohol 

You can be fined €135 for cycling with a blood alcohol level greater than 0.2 mg/l. 

Serious offences committed while cycling, such as hit-and-runs or drunk driving, can incur further penalties, based on the decision of the court. 

Running a red light or stop sign – Fine of €135

Failing to obey a red light when cycling is an offence punishable by a fixed fine of €135. This is the same fine that is applied to motorists. 

Although it’s worth remembering that at many traffic lights in French cities cyclists are allowed to pass through when in certain directions if there is a sign (see below) that indicates it’s allowed.

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

Using your phone – Fine of €135

If you are caught operating your mobile phone in your hand while cycling, you risk a €135 fine. Keep in mind that you can technically use your device for directions, but it must be attached to the bicycle.

This is the same rule as for motorists – basically you cannot have your phone in your hand.

That being said, you can technically use it hands-free (like a phone call on speaker, or music played out loud).

Using earphones – Fine of €135

You cannot use headphones, air-pods or any other kind of earphone to listen to music while cycling. The idea is that you need to be able to hear the world around you.

Nevertheless, you can still listen to music using a Bluetooth speaker.

Helmets for children – Fine of €135

While adults are not legally required to wear helmets, the rules are different for children under 12. 

Children must wear a helmet when cycling, whether they are operating the bike or as the passenger. It is the responsibility of the adult transporting or accompanying the child to ensure this is the case and that the helmet has a ‘CE’ approval marking. 

Failure to comply with this requirement is punishable by a fixed fine of €135. 

Riding on the pavement – Fine of €135

Cyclists cannot ride on the pavement (sidewalk) in built up areas – the only exception is for children under 8 years old. If you break this rule, the fixed fine is €135. 

READ MORE: ‘Aggressive drivers’: Why cycling in rural France is becoming more dangerous

Reckless speeding – Fine of €135

This is also called ‘speeding that is inappropriate based on the circumstances’. This might involve a cyclist technically complying with the stated speed limit, but going too fast based on the pedestrians present or road conditions.

Failure to give way to pedestrians – Fine of €135

Cyclists can technically ride in certain pedestrian areas, subject to signage. However, it is up to the cyclist to move at a ‘walking pace’.

Similarly, in areas shared between cyclists and pedestrians (zones de rencontre), cyclists should not go more than 20km/h and should give way to pedestrians.

Going against traffic on a one-way road – Fine of €135

This depends on the signage. If the sign indicating a one-way says ‘sauf vélos’ then you can use that road. 

Technically, bicycles can go against traffic in areas where the speed limit is under 30km/h, according to Ouest France. However, if there is no signage present or the limit is 30km/h or higher, then you can be fined €135.

Passing cars on the right – Fine of €135

Cyclists cannot pass cars on the right-hand side. All passing should be done on the left and with proper hand signalling.

Using a bicycle without an effective braking system – Fine of €68

This is an important safety concern when bicycling – you could be fined €68 for failing to have a functional breaking system. This charge may be lower – some news websites and blogs list it as €11, though France’s Road Safety authority lists it as €68.

Failure to wear a yellow safety vest (gilet jaune) – Fine of €35

When cycling outside of built up areas at night or on a low-visibility day, cyclists must wear a ‘high-visibility’ jacket (yellow vest). Keep in mind that this rule is not required in urban environments.

Failure to comply leads to a fixed fine of €35.

Changing direction without indicating – Fine of €35

Failing to signal before turning is considered a ‘second class’ offence, and it can lead to a fine of €35.

Riding with a passenger in an unsuitable seat – Fine of €35

Cycling with a friend on the handlebars or hanging on from behind you is a second class offence can result in a fixed fine of €35. 

All passengers must be in ‘suitable’ seats.

Speeding – Fine of €35

Keep in mind that this rule differs from the reckless speeding charge listed above. This simply entails going faster than the posted speed limit.

‘Inconvenient’ parking – Fine of €35

You must park your bike in reserved areas for bicycles. Some poles and street signs might allow bicycles to park there, based on signage. If you fail to do so, you could be fined €35. 

Using a bicycle without reflectors – Fine of €11

All bicycles must have a light-reflecting system for safety purposes. At night and on low-visibility days, your bicycle should also be fitted with two lights: one emitting a yellow or white light going forward and another light in the rear position.

These include:

  • One or more rear reflectors (and on the trailer if you have one)
  • Two orange wheel reflectors
  • One white reflector at the front of the bike
  • Two orange pedal reflectors

Using a bicycle without a bell or horn – Fine of €11

This is a first class offence. You must be able to signal audibly for safety reasons.

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CYCLING

Why you should take up cycling in France in May

'Mai à vélo' is a month-long, government-backed scheme intended to encourage people in France to choose cycling over other modes of transportation.

Published: 16 April 2024 11:42 CEST
Why you should take up cycling in France in May

In hopes of getting more people to cycle, the ‘Mai à vélo’ will offer thousands of cycling events and ‘challenges’ across France from May 1st to 31st.

The scheme began in 2020 and has been supported by the French ministries of environment and sports, with the goal of encouraging carbon-free forms of transportation.

In 2023, there were over 4,000 Mai à vélo events, with over 100,000 people participating in the activity challenges.

What types of events will there be?

From workshops to learn how to repair your own bicycle to group rides and bicycle exchanges, there will be plenty of different types of events across the country. 

They can be hosted by schools, businesses, local authorities, associations and even just groups of friends. 

If you are interested in hosting your own event, you will first need to make an account and register your plans. 

To find events near you, check out the interactive ‘Mai à vélo’ map.

Screenshot from the Mai à vélo website

Cycling on the rise

France, and particularly the city of Paris, have invested more into bike lanes over the last few years.

The study by the Institut Paris Region, an urban planning agency, found that more Parisians were opting for bicycles (accounting for 11.2 percent of trips) than cars (4.3 percent of trips). 

READ MORE: How France will splash another €250 million on national ‘bike plan’

Walking was still the most common option (53.5 percent), followed by public transport at 30 percent.

Nevertheless – Paris launched its first ‘plan vélo’ in 2015 and its second phase started in 2021, with a budget of €180 million and the goal of making France’s capital ‘100 percent bicycle-friendly by 2026’.

On top of that, during the 2024 Olympic Games, the city will offer over 415 kilometres of bicycle lanes, plus thousands of new parking stations across the city and nearby Games venues. You can download the map of bicycle lanes on the Anticiper les jeux website.

Grants for purchasing a bicycle in France

The French government opted to extend their bonus vélo grant to 2027, in an effort to encourage non-polluting transport options.

Previously, the aid was only available to those buying new bikes, but in 2024 authorities opened it up to second-hand bicycles under certain conditions.

While it is means-tested, the financial aid is open to non-French nationals (though you must be resident in France and have a tax number in order to access the grants).

Depending on your financial situation and the bicycle you want to purchase, you may be eligible for assistance varying between €150 and €2,000.

If eligible, you can use it for plenty of different types of bicycles – from standard and electric bikes to cargo bikes, plus those adapted for people with disabilities.

READ MORE: Explained: The financial aid to buy a bike in France

Where should I cycle in France?

If affordable bicycles and fun events are not enough to entice you, perhaps you will be convinced by the dozens of beautiful bicycle routes criss-crossing the country and the warm, spring weather.

For example – you might consider the ‘Voie des Vignes’ cycle path which goes from Beaune to Santenay to Nolay.

The 22km Voie des Vignes (Way of the Vines) meanders its gentle way along vineyard paths, crossing the Unesco World Heritage-listed Climats of Burgundy.

There is also the Vallée du Loir cycle path, which is a 330 km track (the V47) that starts at the source of the river between Beauce and Perche and ends of the banks of Loire at Angers, passing by a fair share of castles.

READ MORE: 13 of France’s best hiking and cycling routes

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