Rules on road traffic Cyclists and Moped drivers in addition to General rules applicable to all.
Definitions
Art. R.ll0-2. For the purposes of this Code, the following terms shall have the meaning which is given to them in this article:
Pedestrian area (Aire pietonne): Section or set of sections of streets in built-up areas, except highways, constituting an area designated for pedestrian traffic, either temporarily or permanently. In this zone, subject to the provisions in art. R.431-9, only vehicles necessary for the internal service of this area are allowed to move at a walking pace and pedestrians have priority over these. The start and end of this area are announced by a sign.
Bike lane (Bande cyclable): exclusively reserved lane for two- or three-wheeled cycles on a multi-lane carriageway.
Bicycle path (Piste cyclable): roadway exclusively reserved for cycles with two or three wheels.
Greenway (Voie verte): exclusively reserved road for the movement of non-motorized vehicles, pedestrians and horse riders.
Meeting Area (Zone de rencontre): Section or set of sections of streets in a town constituting an area assigned to traffic of all users. In this area, pedestrians are allowed to walk on the road but may not stand still on the road and they have priority over vehicles. Speed of vehicles is limited to 20 km / h. All streets are two-way for cyclists, unless otherwise stipulated by the competent authority (police).
Zone 30 (Zone 30): Section or set of sections of streets open to the circulation of all users. In this zone, the speed of any vehicle is limited to 30 km / h. All streets are two-way for cyclists, unless otherwise stipulated by the competent authority (police).
More Definitions
Art. R.311-1. For the purposes of this code, the following terms shall have the meaning which is given to them in this article:
Cycle (bicycle): vehicle having at least two wheels and propelled exclusively by the muscular energy of people on the vehicle, specifically using pedals or cranks.
Assisted Pedal Cycle (electric bicycle): Bicycle equipped with an auxiliary electric motor of maximum continuous rated power Of 0.25 kilowatt, whose power supply is gradually reduced and eventually interrupted when the vehicle reaches a speed of 25 km/h, or earlier if the cyclist stops pedaling.
Art. R.313-1. Any vehicle shall have lighting in accordance with this Code. These must be installed in accordance with The requirements of this Chapter.
Art. R.313-4. Night, or day when visibility is insufficient, any cycle shall be fitted with a position lamp emitting forward a non-dazzling light, yellow or white.
Art. R.313-5. Night, or day when Visibility is insufficient, any cycle must be equipped with a position light. This shall be clearly visible from the rear when the vehicle is mounted. When the trailer of a cycle, or its loading, are likely to mask the rear position light, the trailer must be provided with the corresponding light(s), the number of which is set at two if the width of the trailer exceeds 1.30 meters.
Art. R.313-18. Every cycle must be equipped with one or more rear retro-reflectors. When the trailer of a cycle, or its loading, are likely to mask the rear position light, the trailer must be provided with the corresponding reflector(s), the number of which is set at two if the width of the trailer exceeds 1.30 meters.
Art. R.313-19. Every cycle must be equipped with orange reflectors visible laterally.
Art. R.313-20. The pedals of any cycle shall include retro-reflectors of the color orange. Every cycle must be equipped with a visible white reflector on the front. Any cycle may include a rear and to the left "danger spreader device" (reflector on a stick).
Art. R.313-33. Every cycle must be equipped with a warning apparatus constituted by a bell whose sound may be heard at 50 meters at least. Any other sound signal is prohibited.
Art. R.315-3. Every cycle must be equipped with two effective braking devices.
Art. R.412-6-1. Using a telephone held by the driver of a vehicle in circulation is prohibited. Also prohibited is the wearing in the ear of a listening device by a driver of a vehicle in traffic, of any device capable of transmitting sound, with the exception of electronic correctors of deafness.
Art. R.412-28-1. When the maximum allowed speed is less than or equal to 30 km/h, the pavements are two-way for cyclists unless otherwise decided by the police authority.
Art. R.412-30. When a bike path crossing the roadway is parallel and contiguous to a pedestrian crossing which is regulated by light-signaling lamps, cyclists using this track are required, in the absence of specific bicycle traffic lights, to respect the signaling lights which regulate the crossing of the roadway by the pedestrians. (i.e. only cross the street when the pedestrian crosswalk light is green!)
Art. R.412-34. Children under the age of eight years who conduct a cycle may use sidewalks or shoulders, unless contrary provisions have been adopted by a competent authority such as the police, with the condition of keeping a walking pace and not to cause discomfort to pedestrians. The movement of all two wheeled vehicles driven by hand is tolerated on pavement. In this case, drivers are obliged to observe the rules imposed to pedestrians.
Art. R.414-4. Before passing, driver must ensure that it can do so safely. He must also warn of his intention the user that he wants to pass. The driver must not pass too close, keeping enough distance to avoid the risk of striking the user he wants to overtake. This lateral distance should be at least one meter inside city limits and one and a half meters outside city limits in the case of an animal pulled vehicle, a vehicle with two or three wheels, a pedestrian, or a rider of an animal.
Art. R.431-1-1. When night, or day when visibility is insufficient, any driver and passenger of a cycle must wear outside city limits a high-visibility vest. This vest must conform to the regulations and characteristics prescribed by an order of the Minister Responsible for transport.
Art. R.431-5. On motorcycles, trikes and quads with motor, mopeds and cycles, passenger transport is only permitted on a fixed seat different from the driver's seat. For the purposes of this section, the double saddle or the long seat is assimilated to two seats.
Art. R.431-6. Drivers of mopeds, of cycles to more than two wheels, of cycles pulling a trailer, or of cycles with a side-car should never roll head-on on the street.
Art. R.431-7. Cycle drivers of two-wheeled bikes without trailer or without side-car must never drive more than two side by side on the roadway. They have to be in single file as soon as the evening arrives and in all cases where traffic conditions require it, especially when a vehicle passing them announces its approach.
Art. R.431-8. It is forbidden for bicycles and mopeds to be towed by a vehicle.
Art. R.431-9. For drivers of two- or three-wheeled cycles, the obligation to use bike lanes or bike paths shall be instituted by the power of the police after advice from the prefect. When the roadway is lined on each side by a cycle path, the user of this track must use the one to the right of the road, going in the direction of traffic. Cycle drivers can ride in pedestrian areas, unless prohibited by the local authority vested with the power of police, on condition to maintain a walking pace and not to cause discomfort to pedestrians. Cycle conductors can circulate on the shoulders of roads if those shoulders are paved.
Art. R.431-10. Outside city limits, along paved roads or roads in state of repair, circulation of cycles And two-wheeled mopeds without trailers or without side-car, is permitted on sidewalks and pedestrian alleyways. In this case, drivers are to move at a walking pace whenever they encounter a pedestrian and whenever they are near to housing.
Art. R.431-11. On vehicles with two wheels, except the so-called tandem cycles, the passenger's seat shall be provided either with a tether strap, or at least a handle and two footrests. On all two-wheeled vehicles, for children under five Years, the use of a seat designed for this purpose and provided with a restraint system is mandatory. The driver must ensure that children's feet can not be entrained between the fixed parts and the moving parts of the vehicle.
Art. R.XXX-XX. Driving while under the influence of drugs such as alcohol is prohibited for drivers of any vehicle. Point will be taken from your car driver license for any such infraction, even if you are riding a bicycle.
Art. R.XXX-XX: Helmets required for all kids under 12 years old. (link)
