Helmet when riding in France.

[nickoff]

Bought a nice new Vemar fliptop helmet today. With it came 4 reflective stickers for attaching to the front, back and sides if riding in France. Wasn't aware of this law so be aware.

Nick.

[Dark-Strom]

Don't like stickers on me helmet, so no French biking for me then, anyway they tend to hurt when removed...

[kwackboy]

I don't have any reflective stickers on my helmet. Been to Europe through France loads and never been stopped.

It's getting to the point you almost need a spare top box to carry all the shit you need to ride in France , overkill in my opinion but the law is the law I suppose. 

[StromGeeza]

Reflective stickers are a good idea, irrespective of being legally obliged to have 'em or not.

All the bollox ranting about 'nanny state' reminds me of the indignation from the intellectually feeble when seat belt wearing  in cars became compulsory. Not wearing a seatbelt because of some supposed 'right to choose' isn't a problem to you if you get killed in a car crash, or turn into a dribbling vegetable as a result. But it's life-changing for anyone else who has a stake in the aftermath...

Ride safely people.

[BigAldo]

First trip to France in a couple of weeks.
Just fitted the reflective tape to my helmet, and the Crit D'Air sticker to the windscreen.
Planning on heading down through France and into Spain for 6 weeks. Never had the bike abroad so looking forward to it.

[tomrxy]

I would stick them on, spent 25 years as a continental hgv driver so know the gendarmes
tactics well, they do like any excuse to fine foreign  drivers/riders especially at piages and their fines do resemble telephone numbers, can ruin a whole trip!!!

[nickoff]

We were touring around France in our motorhome a few years ago. Came to a road junction where half a dozen coppers were gathered just standing around. The bar stewards were only hiding the head high traffic light then pulling drivers over, including us for jumping a red light. €90 fine thank you very much. One froggy driver was going ape shit at them but it made no difference.

Nick.

[Calimero]

In France , reflective stickers on the helmet do not oblige tourists, because this has to do with a permanent requirement for a helmet and these are arranged per country.

The reflection on the clothing is mandatory, since this is regulated in a different law. The requirement for this is at least 150 cm2 (23.25 square inch). Luckily, you will soon find this size, because a reasonable bracelet around your upper arm, for example, is enough.

There is also an obligation in France that every driver is obliged to carry 2 alcohol tests

[Freddyfruitbat]

A friend of a friend claims to have been part of a group who got pulled over in France and amongst other things, had their gloves checked for CE labels... 

[Rusty Nuts]

I've been told off by a French cop for not wearing any gloves. It's mandatory and easy to spot if not wearing them. It was 41 celsius, I was wearing shorts, t shirt, trainers and helmet. But no gloves. And no helmet stickers.

[Barbel Mick]

I checked a couple of sites before we went down to The French Alps last year and the general consensus was if you didn't buy your helmet in France you didn't need the stickers. We didn't put any on and 'got away with it'?
We were more concerned that we both had a high visibility vest each in case of breakdown, you can get fined for not carrying one but the fine for not wearing it when required is quite high! I believe the wearing of reflective clothing was scrapped a few years ago.
You also need all your paperwork, driving licence, insurance, MOT and registration documents (I took copies of the insurance, MOT and registration doc.
Not having a breathalyser no longer carries a fine so why have one? 
Beware of speed limits, they have just been lowered, PLUS you can not have a speed camera detector so if your satnav has one it must be disabled.
I think France also has some low emission zones in some cities, (they are the last places I would want to go on my bike) and you may need some documentation if you plan to go to them.

[kwackboy]

I've been told off by a French cop. It was 41 celsius, I was wearing shorts, t shirt, trainers and helmet. But no gloves. And no helmet stickers.

Bizarre..!! if you made this rule up no one would believe it but this goes to show that it's a rule made for revenue only.   

I understand the need to wear safety gear but I to am guilty of riding in just shorts flip flops and no helmet but that's my problem , no one else's.

[Munchen]

My tuppence on this nonsense of safety over-kill.  If the French decided that all bikers should wear bubblewrap suits, fit stabiliser wheels and have giant neon lamps on their helmets, there'd be dopes who would advocate it and make soppy comparisons with seat belts in cars!

I was always advised not to put stickers on a helmet because the adhesive has a detrimental affect on the integrity of the shell.  Whether that's right or wrong, it should be the individual's choice in any case.  I've no problem with the French deciding for themselves to go OTT, but it should not apply to visitors.

Additionally, if any meaningful study has been made that proves that stickers on a helmet stop bikers getting hit, why is it then that the EU have not made it mandatory for all?  Not enough money for them to make out of it perhaps?

I don't advocate riding in shorts and t-shirts (many of us have done it at least once on a hot day in our youth), but we are all currently free to choose a higher level of protection over and above head gear if we so wish.

I am safety conscious and protect myself adequately when on two-wheels - I just don't take it to ridiculous lengths and I believe a headlight should be good enough for others to see us coming at night.  If it's not, then eye-sight checks would surely have a bigger impact on saving the lives of bikers and car drivers too.

Rant over 

[Dee Dub]

... I've no problem with the French deciding for themselves to go OTT, but it should not apply to visitors.

The stickers rule doesn't apply to visitors. Only helmets sold in France are obliged to have them.

Additionally, if any meaningful study has been made that proves that stickers on a helmet stop bikers getting hit, why is it then that the EU have not made it mandatory for all?  Not enough money for them to make out of it perhaps?

I agree, but the EU allows countries to have 'higher' standards than the EU minimum, which is a pain. But apparently we want national legislation not EU legislation nowadays.

[Joe Rocket]

We all have different views on adequate regulations on safety. Stickers, EU approved gloves and Hello-viz vests are law here. There is a rule to carry a breathalyser (ONE) but someone pointed out that if you used yours you'd need a replacement straight away.......hence TWO by deduction, not Law. (The Police/Gendarmes don't use yours, you are supposed to 'self test' if you have concerns about your state of sobriety.) I'd rather see stricter drink/drive Laws to stigmatize offenders, although there are only low levels of blood/alcohol allowed most French believe they can 'drink up to that limit'.

Helmet stickers is a puny measure that only France brought in after EU recommendations but it really isn't followed up by the authorities. Gloves were prompted more by scooter and moped riders who were riding hands naked and suffering a lot of hand injuries in only minor accidents. Hello-viz vests because people were being run over at the scene of accidents. These are more prevention measures than outright safety solutions.

Simple rule in France...... If the law applies to you then abide by it!

Edit- spot the word filter, did you?