French bikers forced to wear hi-viz clothing from 2013

**Bob** · 12th January 2012, 01:16

French motorcyclists, plus foreign bikers travelling in France, will be forced to wear high-visibility clothing from January 2013. 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

**Maha** · 12th January 2012, 05:51

First, they started eating snails......now this?

**Katman** · 12th January 2012, 08:04

The writing's on the wall.

**nodrog:Me** · 12th January 2012, 08:13

Originally Posted by Katman

The writing's on the wall.

yep

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**vifferman** · 12th January 2012, 08:18

Merde!
10 characters blah blah

**MSTRS:Me** · 12th January 2012, 08:26

Full details here

**tri boy** · 12th January 2012, 08:41

The stink of a French man/woman should be enough to notify all road users of there presence, without the need of silly vests.

**red mermaid** · 12th January 2012, 08:42

Surely this can't be so...I mean we are told so many times how repressive NZ rules are and how enlightened European rules are.

**nzmikey** · 12th January 2012, 08:55

we are now all doomed....... as soon as LTSA get wind of this in 2013 we will be doing the same

EDIT: I think that ALL scooter riders in NZ should wear them since they wear MINIMAL gear at the best of times

**skippa1** · 12th January 2012, 10:10

there is money to be made stitching them on all the 1%'s leather vests

**Brian d marge** · 12th January 2012, 10:21

but the frogs may actually do something

stephen

PS my Rukka jacket has hi vz stitched in and you don't really notice it...

stephen

**Devil** · 12th January 2012, 10:25

THey're talking about a reflective patch. Not neccesarily a day-glo item.

What a stupid idea (could be worse). Night time presents the least of the problem, it's the middle of the damn day during perfect visibility that there's an issue of people not looking properly.

**misterO** · 12th January 2012, 11:12

All motorists in France are required to have a Hi Viz vest in their car (and "common sense" dictates that they also have one for every occupant of their car). This reflective-gear-for-motorcycles is likely an extension of that- if motorists "need" it then bikers do, too. It is all very silly and I expected the French to be more sensible than this with their fierce sense of individuality. Radar detectors are illegal there and speed cameras rampant: plans are afoot in France to enlarge the registration plates on bikes to make them easier to photograph. A far more worrisome French regulation is the current one that limits ALL motorcycles to no more than 106BHP. Boo!

**James Deuce** · 12th January 2012, 11:55

I await the temporary collapse of the French transport system and economy with interest.

**willytheekid** · 12th January 2012, 12:16

FFS

yup, were next!

I have a High viz vest! (nerd

..I know), but I only wear it at night, or on long weekends (holidays etc=mad traffic) and if the weather packs in and visibility is shit.
...funnily enough it didn't stop the drunk driver in his 4x4 from punching me off the highway last year?...maybe its defective?

(they ARE mean't to make you impervious right?)

I totally agree with the idea of "if we are forced to wear them...so should all scooters and cyclists!" after all, WE are the ones wearing all the safety gear, yet they are usually wearing bugger all or just....spandex!

LET THOSE WHO RIDE DECIDE!