The article I read, stated that, as a non resident on holiday or transiting through the country, if your helmet was not bought in France, you cannot be penalised for not having a reflective sticker. Toured in France in both of the last 2 years and I don’t remember seeing that many policemen although a couple of motorcycle officers riding in the opposite direction, did wave once. Andy
This article, https://www.bennetts.co.uk/bikesoci...res/travel/how-to-ride-a-motorcycle-in-france, is a refreshing read and their take on reflective stickers can be paraphrased as no-one gives a sh*t Andy
I can share a bit of first hand experience. In the 20 years I've been riding in France I've never been checked for helmet stickers. There are exhaust sound tests every now and again in major built up areas. If oncoming cars flash at you there is a police presence up ahead...if you have just been speeding turn around immediately as they use lasers and then radio ahead. Don't ask me how I know
Yeah, the sticker thing is not enforced here and nobody puts said stickers on their helmets. There are more important things to care about these days. Like sharing a good glass of wine with your damoiselle. With regards to cars flashing, it happens when there’s all kind of trouble awaiting for you further up the road. Police controls, for sure, but must importantly, accidents, animals, anything dangerous, really. @The Royal Maharaja Grant, last time I rode in your area, riding through les Gorges d’Ollioules, got flashed by a couple cars and found 5 bikes scattered on the road 1 km ahead…
Sad to hear, unfortunately the quality of drivers, and riders too, is super low in the south...too much sunshine
I’d say that the southerners are hot blooded, and that does not fare well with motorcycle riding. I must admit that I find it stressful when riding down there, to be engulfed in a flock of helmeted dickheads riding like they are on a track. Seeing dead riders on the side of the road can also be a powerful source of stress…
For anyone heading to France, here is a list of things I have never had while riding there: Spare bulbs Hi viz Breathalyser Helmet stickers What I do carry Reg document ( a must) Driving license Passport (or Carte de sejour for me) Insurance doc, if UK bike French bikers needed a ‘carte verte’ on their bikes to prove insurance, proof now kept on an online data base and not required from 1st April ( I think) so one thing less for us. Always find articles about the ‘must haves’ for France amusing, MCN were the worst culprits, though that is mostly a work of fiction anyway.
The locals around the ‘Parc naturel régional du Vercors’ were a bit mental when I was there last. First time I have seen an R1 with the rear wheel in the air when braking for a corner…two up! Still, it was better than running straight on, as that looked like at least a 500 foot drop!
Got stopped by the Gendarmes a few years back and given a breathalyser test... and by that I mean they gave us a kit each to use when we felt the need. We tried them out that evening after a couple of beers.
Yeah, they call this road safety prevention. Mostly used during drinking parties later on, like you say. @J biker The road between Die and le Col de Rousset, on the southern edge of the Plateau du Vercors, is notorious for it’s « track use » by local daredevils. I never ride it on the weekends. Week days only…
Those exact roads, yes. Thought we go a bit quick at times, but when you get groups of 3-6 riders, all knee down oncoming around blind corners you realise otherwise.
Thanks for the tip. Rode that road, at pace and with a small group of four bikes, a few years ago and got away with it. Riding it next week on the way back from the EMM so am now forewarned.
If you want to get on the good side of a French motorcycle Gendarme - maybe wear a helmet made by the French manufacturer SHARK ! Pardon Monsieur le Gen, les stickers - ils sont encore dans la boite
