The old French Hi-Vis nugget - Looks like they're trying again !

[Mul001]

Just found this posted on my "other" Forum. To and fro, hey ho, vi his, no hi vis, what day is it - Friday, must be hi vis day again ! :laugh:

They're trying hard but I still can't see it getting thro, and if it does the locals 'll sure bring Paris to a standstill again in protest

The idiocy continues:

France: high visibility vests compulsory again?

by UK France bikers

And now can you see me better?

The French government seems to find it very difficult to decide whether or not motorcyclists should be forced to wear high visibility vests whilst on the road. Some time ago, we advised thatproposals had been put forward by the former French Interior Minister, Claude Guéant, to make high visibility vests mandatory for all motorcycle riders. Thanks to the ever growing and very well respected French motorcyclists pressure group (FFMC - French Federation of Angry Bikers), Guéant backed off and proposed the introduction of compulsory reflective straps around the arm instead. Needless to say that the FFMC continued to disagree with Gueant's ludicrous proposals and urged him to scrap his proposals all together by gathering tens of thousands angry bikers and causing traffic chaos all over the country. When Guéant was thankfully pushed out of the French government in May last year, his successor, Manuel Valls, decided to scrap his predecessor's stupid proposals once for good. Once for good? Read on...
Unfortunately, the debate over the potential mandatory high visibility vest for all riders has just resurrected with the government now considering the option of forcing all bikers to carry one with them at all times, but without making it compulsory to wear whilst riding. Does that make sense? Well, not really to be honest! This is another ridiculous and ludicrous anti-bike piece of legislation designed to catch as many bikers as possible and fine them on the spot for not following the law.
So let's discuss any logic behind this new proposal. Remember, this is only a proposal at this stage, you do not need to carry or wear a high visibility jacket in France until further notice. The government's idea is to force bikers to wear the vest only when they breakdown alongside the road and/or need to park the bike on the side in case of emergency or accident. So if you get caught while riding without having a high visibility jacket with you (either in your bike or your bag), you will not be fined as you are not expected to wear it while using your bike. However, if you get caught without wearing the vest in the event of a breakdown, flat tyre, emergency stop or accident, you risk a fine of 35 euros payable on the spot and possibly a couple of points taken off your licence. This would also apply to foreign bikers visiting France.
I can only smile when I come across stupid proposals like this, especially from a highly unpopular government at this present time. Let's see what the FFMC has to say about this and how long it will take them to get these French bureaucrats to scrap their proposals.
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[Gedge]

Its already law across most of the EU to carry a Hi Viz with every other vehicle except Motorcycles...As you only need to carry one and wear it after a breakdown I dont think its too outrageous a proposal..( I have had one with me on every tour..cost a £1 and fits neatly in my first aid kit...Pretty sure I could live with such a rule applying to all vehicles..

[jimmyshin]

Yeah don't think this is too bad, as mentioned you need one if you're in a car for breakdowns, don't see the problem in extending that to bikes. I've got one stuffed under my seat so it's not in the way, but it wouldn't take up much space anyway.

Not sure on the points thing though, thought they couldn't enforce points across countries as there's no common penalty point scheme between EU states?

[MR X]

France: high visibility vests compulsory again?

by UK France bikers

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If your up for posting info in France post the link to the web page so all can see , then that way its not just bollocks

[Boo Cock]

Carrying the stupid thing is one thing, but how long before they then say we all have to wear them as well? If you don't stop it now it could play in the governments favour later on. Don't be lame and take this crap because who knows where it will end?
I hope you all have payed up membership of the BMF and/or MAG, because if you don't then when it all comes crashing down around our ears DON'T MOAN ABOUT IT. IT WILL ALREADY BE TOO LATE.

Keep alert out there and lets not be a statistic for them to use against us.
Boo.

[dusz]

Not all bikes have underseat storage. On my CX500 Custom, the seat is bolted down so to store it there I would have to carry a pouch with tools strapped to the bike or with the vest strapped to the bike, both vulnerable to the low-lifes who pinch things and then you fall foul of the French plod. Needless to say if I was biking though France I would have my tool kit but for a day ride I might not.
With other vehicles there is plenty of room to store the vests - one for each passenger and in France there needs to be at least one accesible by the driver before they get out the vehicle. If plod stops you and it is not available it can lead to a fine.
Fortunately over the last 12 years, even though I have driven through France and Belgium on average at least 6 times a year I have never been stopped. My vest though is in the pocket behind the passenger seat, the breathalysers are in the glove box, the other high vis are in the boot in the spare wheel well along with the warning triangle and first aid kit. If you were forced to carry all of this on a bike you would need to have panniers fitted permanently.