HiViz vest required in France

For all UK-folks that want to take their Silverwing to the Continent: From next year (1st of januari 2013) all motorbike riders have to wear a reflective vest or jacket in France. This new rule is for ALL riding +125cc or +15kW motorbikes, not just for French riders.

Quote :

Au plus tard le 1er janvier 2013, tous conducteurs ou passagers d’une motocyclette d’une
cylindrée supérieure à 125 cm3 ou d’un véhicule de la catégorie L5e d’une puissance supérieure à 15 kW
doivent porter un vêtement muni d’un équipement rétroréfléchissant, correspondant soit aux normes françaises
ou à d’autres normes garantissant un niveau de sécurité équivalent.
Cet équipement, en une seule ou plusieurs parties, doit être d’une surface totale au moins égale à 150 cm2.
Si cet équipement n’est pas dès l’origine intégré au vêtement, il lui est superposé par tout moyen.
L’équipement doit être porté sur le haut du corps, à l’exception du casque, à partir de la ceinture à la ligne
des épaules, de manière à être visible des autres usagers de la route.

source: http://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jopdf/common/jo_pdf.jsp?numJO=0&dateJO=20120104&numTexte=5&pageDebut=00119&pageFin=00119

In short: you need a minimum of 150cm² ( = 10 x 15 cm or 4 x 6 inch) of REFLECTIVE material, between the shoulders and the belt line. The helmet is excluded in this calculation.

Fines are said to be (at least?) €65, so it's cheaper to buy a reflective vest or belt...

At last, the French have cured the SMIDSY problem.

Also reflective spots on your helmet, a warning triangle and a self- breathalyser (actually you need two as you always have to have one available and they are single use), possibly also a spare bulb kit and heavens knows what else. In Spain you must carry spare specs if you use them and I think the Germans require the carrying of a first aid kit. Not much room for your personal needs is there !!!??

The new French hi-viz vest and breathalyser laws have already been the subject of much discussion on scooter forums earlier this year, so it's not news to us in the UK.

As for the compulsory first aid kits, the ones sold for bikers by Hein Gericke, Polo, and Louis in Germany are only about the size of a compact men's wallet so they hardly take up any room at all. It's important that you know how to use the kit you're carrying too.

Warning triangle not compulsory for motorcycles. But that is not to say that they aren't a good idea. I carry one of these, also doubles up as a tent torch when camping
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-x-RED-WHITE-39-LED-FLASHING-CAR-WARNING-TRIANGLE-CAMPING-TORCH-TENT-LIGHT-/230807607720?pt=UK_Car_Accessories_Safety_Security&hash=item35bd3499a8

Spare set of bulbs, glad it is compulsory. My headlight bulb blew on the autoroute so having a spare was ideal. Now there is a spare set always under the seat.

Cheers,

I always carry the spare bulbs but it's the changing them at the roadside that's the real problem !!!

In France, not only do you have to carry them but also have the tools to replace the bulb. Luckily on a Silverwing the only tool needed is a Phillips screwdriver. Now I have auxillary lights so not such a big problem if the one headlight bulb goes out.
I have to say when I realised the dipped beam had blown and I switched to main beam my mate did say it was ****ing bright when I was riding behind him (in broad daylight BTW, not in the dark).

Cheers,

I don't mind that governments are focusing on road safety, but find it more than confusing that traffic laws and signs are different all over Europe. As some of you have mentioned here, in certain countries spare glasses, first aid kit, breathalizer, etc are mandatory. On a Silverwing not too big a problem, but riders of sportier bikes simply don't have enough storage on their machines!

Other laws are just silly, or lack any common sense. E.g.. in Belgium a motorbiker has to wear 'protective' clothing, gloves and boots or 'ankle high' footwear. The description in the law of this 'protective gear' is 'a long-sleeved coat, long-legged trousers or overalls'.

So one can ride perfectly legal wearing nothing but a helmet, dishwashing gloves, wellies and a plastic rainsuit. Brilliant...


Photo: the brains behind these laws...

Hey! I recognise those chaps!

What do expect from a country where they "can't keep the snails off the plates " in a fancy restaurant .

I hope my State Motor Vehicle Administration doesn't hear about this ,