French bikers forced to wear hi-viz clothing from 2013

[scracha]

A change to the French version of the Highway Code will make it compulsory for all riders of PTWs in excess of 125cc to wear a reflective item on the upper body covering at least 150cm2.

The requirement applies to rides and pillions and failure to adhere will result in a fine of EUR 68

a) France is full of EU mandated laws. Unlike the UK, the French citizens generally choose to completely ignore the dafter ones. As do the gendarmerie. The French are certainly not like the sheeple here.
b) 150cm^2. For your average fat biker that's a 1cm thick strip on your jacket. Most cordura gear probably has this already.

[BMWST?]

150cm 2 is a square of 12.25cm.It doesnt really sai if this reflective surface is evenly distributed or if there is supposed to be 150 cm 2 "viewable" from any angle

[Scuba_Steve]

Forgive me if I've misunderstood but aren't you the one advocating a sedate riding style? Conforming to the expectations of the rest of society? Might as well be driving a car (almost).

Yea I have no idea why Katmans on a bike either, with all his rating & ravings.
Hell the extent he sometimes takes it I'm not sure why he's on the road at all...

[BMWST?]

Yea I have no idea why Katmans on a bike either, with all his rating & ravings.
Hell the extent he sometimes takes it I'm not sure why he's on the road at all...

i dont have a problem with his message its the delivery that i dislike(i have him on ignore)

[Scuba_Steve]

i dont have a problem with his message its the delivery that i dislike(i have him on ignore)

I don't mind him being round, it's a laugh. But the extremes he takes his message I seriously wonder why he has a bike? & sometimes when he's really going for it, why he even dares put his safety at risk by going out onto the road regardless of mode of transport.

[Kickaha]

Forgive me if I've misunderstood but aren't you the one advocating a sedate riding style? Conforming to the expectations of the rest of society? Might as well be driving a car (almost).

There's a big difference from a"sedate riding style" to "I have never suggested not riding. That's the exclusive domain of Katman and his ilk"

All he has really ever said is don't ride like a cock and expect there to be no consequences of your actions whether it be to the individual or motorcyclists as a group

[Katman]

i dont have a problem with his message its the delivery that i dislike(i have him on ignore)

The delivery has changed considerably over the years.

You're just too stupid to recognise it.

[steve_t]

The delivery has changed considerably over the years.

You're just too stupid to recognise it.

[Owl]

(i have him on ignore)

You're just too stupid to recognise it.

He can't hear you

[popelli]

a) France is full of EU mandated laws. Unlike the UK, the French citizens generally choose to completely ignore the dafter ones. As do the gendarmerie. The French are certainly not like the sheeple here.
b) 150cm^2. For your average fat biker that's a 1cm thick strip on your jacket. Most cordura gear probably has this already.

unfortunately if they do enforce it its points on your licence, hikes in insurance premiums

based in the uk I like to get across to europe once and year and do a bike rally, was planning to do the HDC super rally in Germany, I have cancelled this and will do a rally in France instead, and this will be the last time I ever ride in France.

I have no personal objection to dayglo clothing, but I have a very strong objection to being forced to wear it.

Problem is France has too much say in the EU and this is the thin edge of the wedge

Anybody who is naive enough to think this is ok think again, they are trying to outlaw any performance modifications, long forks, and bikes over 7 years old in cities in various different EU regulations

The end objective to to outlaw motorcycling under the guise of health and safety

[MSTRS:Me]

150cm^2. For your average fat biker that's a 1cm thick strip on your jacket. Most cordura gear probably has this already.

No - it isn't.
150cm2 is a strip 1.5m long by 1cm wide. Or 'compressed' to another shape, it's 15cm by 10cm (6" x 4")

[swbarnett]

There's a big difference from a"sedate riding style" to "I have never suggested not riding. That's the exclusive domain of Katman and his ilk"

Agree completely. The second comment came from Katman's assertion that we should ride in such a way as to conform to the expectations of the rest of society. I've spent the better part of the past 40 some years trying to do exactly that over ecery aspect of my life. Believe me, it's not a good idea.

All he has really ever said is don't ride like a cock and expect there to be no consequences of your actions whether it be to the individual or motorcyclists as a group

I have absolutely no problem with this message. I support it wholeheartedly. What I also support is someone's right to spirited riding which may appear to some as "riding like a cock".

[BMWST?]

No - it isn't.
150cm2 is a strip 1.5m long by 1cm wide. Or 'compressed' to another shape, it's 15cm by 10cm (6" x 4")

so i wonder how long a strip would be to go from cuff to cuff across the top of the shoulders...a bloody sight longer than 1.5 m i would say...voila 150 cm sq

[blue rider]

rough translation:

The inter-ministerial committee of the road safety of May 11, 2011 decided to make compulsory the wearing of reflecting clothing (waistcoat or wind-breaker) for all the drivers of two-wheeled vehicles motorized of 125 Cm3 and more. The helmets of the motorcyclists carry already reflective elements and those on two-wheeled vehicles must circulate with dipped headlights. The obligation of the wearing of a fluo waist coat will thus not allow to improve protection of the drivers in the event of a fall l and even less help to avoid this one.
To lower the VAT on the safety equipments would be much more useful…


link: http://www.ffmc.asso.fr/spip.php?article2187

also manifestations are planned, and as from memory when the frenchies strike, no one goes anywhere. good fun to be had.
the interesting bit however of this law is that it also applies to visitors to France on bikes and those just transiting through.

[MSTRS:Me]

so i wonder how long a strip would be to go from cuff to cuff across the top of the shoulders...a bloody sight longer than 1.5 m i would say...voila 150 cm sq

Perhaps you missed the bit about 'most cordura gear has this already' ?
It doesn't. What it does often have is reflective piping on some seams. Piping is not 1cm wide. YT's Orina brand jacket has as much or more piping as I've ever seen on any cordura, and it's approx .25cm wide.
Incidentally, I'm reasonably average at 180cm tall and I have a cuff-to-cuff span of 145cm...