Filtering Finally Legal in France
Discussion
Well after years of trials, experiments and arguments, it looks like filtering in France finally has become an official thing!
From the FFMC ( literally Federation of Pissed off French Bikers ) website, this is what they have to say......
After 26 years of hard-fought efforts to gain recognition for an already well-established practice, inter-vehicle traffic (CIF) is finally becoming legal in France. This is a major advance, marking a decisive step forward in road-sharing and user safety. Here's a look at this victory for common sense and the rules governing it.
A step forward for road sharing and mobility
Although ICF is widely practised by many motorcyclists, until now it has been a legal grey area, often tolerated but rarely penalised. And since 2016 it has been tried out. After almost ten long years of experimentation, this legalisation brings official recognition to a practice that helps to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.
But the impact goes far beyond that.
Thanks to this legalisation, driving schools and motorbike schools will now be able to include inter-vehicle traffic in their driving licence courses.
This means that future motorcyclists will be better trained in this area, thereby reducing the risk of inappropriate or dangerous behaviour on their part.
Motorists will also benefit from increased awareness of the reality of sharing the road. Understanding how to react to a 2WD in CIF is essential for preventing accidents and limiting misunderstandings and tensions between users.
So it's a win-win situation: better supervised and taught riding will mean fewer accidents for 2WD users, better co-existence on the road and, above all, greater safety for all users.
Legalisation means regulation
The legalisation of ICF is accompanied by precise rules, defined by decree, to guarantee safe, supervised riding.
Here are the main points to remember:
Drivers of motorbikes (category L3e) and motorised tricycles (category L5e) with a maximum width of 1 metre. On motorways and dual carriageways separated by a central reservation with at least two lanes in each direction.
When there is heavy traffic in uninterrupted lanes.
When the speed of other vehicles is limited to a maximum of 50 km/h, with sufficient space between vehicles, on a clear road surface (no roadworks, snow or ice) and in compliance with specific speed limits:
- 50 km/h maximum if the lanes are moving forward,
- 30 km/h maximum if one lane is stationary,
with a ban on overtaking another vehicle in CIF.
When traffic flows smoothly again, rejoin the lane without delay.
Penalties for non-compliance
4? class fine (€135)
Suspension of licence for up to 3 years (with possible restriction to non-business journeys).
Loss of 3 points on the licence.
A well-deserved victory
This major breakthrough is the fruit of 26 years of persistent collective work by the FFMC, the FFM and the ‘two-wheeled’ and ‘training’ branches of Mobilians. While official recognition of the ICF is first and foremost a victory for road users, it is also recognition of the long-term work carried out by the FFMC.
Year after year, we have demonstrated that ICF can be synonymous with fluidity and safety, provided that it is properly supervised. This decree marks the triumph of dialogue and education over prejudice and misunderstanding.
The FFMC has no intention of stopping there. This legalisation is the foundation on which we will continue to build a safer and more shared road for all users. Motorcyclists, car drivers and cyclists, together we are moving towards a future where common sense and sharing the road make sense.
From the FFMC ( literally Federation of Pissed off French Bikers ) website, this is what they have to say......
After 26 years of hard-fought efforts to gain recognition for an already well-established practice, inter-vehicle traffic (CIF) is finally becoming legal in France. This is a major advance, marking a decisive step forward in road-sharing and user safety. Here's a look at this victory for common sense and the rules governing it.
A step forward for road sharing and mobility
Although ICF is widely practised by many motorcyclists, until now it has been a legal grey area, often tolerated but rarely penalised. And since 2016 it has been tried out. After almost ten long years of experimentation, this legalisation brings official recognition to a practice that helps to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion.
But the impact goes far beyond that.
Thanks to this legalisation, driving schools and motorbike schools will now be able to include inter-vehicle traffic in their driving licence courses.
This means that future motorcyclists will be better trained in this area, thereby reducing the risk of inappropriate or dangerous behaviour on their part.
Motorists will also benefit from increased awareness of the reality of sharing the road. Understanding how to react to a 2WD in CIF is essential for preventing accidents and limiting misunderstandings and tensions between users.
So it's a win-win situation: better supervised and taught riding will mean fewer accidents for 2WD users, better co-existence on the road and, above all, greater safety for all users.
Legalisation means regulation
The legalisation of ICF is accompanied by precise rules, defined by decree, to guarantee safe, supervised riding.
Here are the main points to remember:
Drivers of motorbikes (category L3e) and motorised tricycles (category L5e) with a maximum width of 1 metre. On motorways and dual carriageways separated by a central reservation with at least two lanes in each direction.
When there is heavy traffic in uninterrupted lanes.
When the speed of other vehicles is limited to a maximum of 50 km/h, with sufficient space between vehicles, on a clear road surface (no roadworks, snow or ice) and in compliance with specific speed limits:
- 50 km/h maximum if the lanes are moving forward,
- 30 km/h maximum if one lane is stationary,
with a ban on overtaking another vehicle in CIF.
When traffic flows smoothly again, rejoin the lane without delay.
Penalties for non-compliance
4? class fine (€135)
Suspension of licence for up to 3 years (with possible restriction to non-business journeys).
Loss of 3 points on the licence.
A well-deserved victory
This major breakthrough is the fruit of 26 years of persistent collective work by the FFMC, the FFM and the ‘two-wheeled’ and ‘training’ branches of Mobilians. While official recognition of the ICF is first and foremost a victory for road users, it is also recognition of the long-term work carried out by the FFMC.
Year after year, we have demonstrated that ICF can be synonymous with fluidity and safety, provided that it is properly supervised. This decree marks the triumph of dialogue and education over prejudice and misunderstanding.
The FFMC has no intention of stopping there. This legalisation is the foundation on which we will continue to build a safer and more shared road for all users. Motorcyclists, car drivers and cyclists, together we are moving towards a future where common sense and sharing the road make sense.
I have filtered in France every time I have been there , ( first time was in 1975 ) ,or passing through on my way to another country. I have also fiItered in most other countries I have visited, have never had a problem doing it , drivers on the continent seem to be generally more aware of bikes than they are here in the UK.
I find if you are not filtering like a jerk then nobody bothers you.
I find if you are not filtering like a jerk then nobody bothers you.
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