Petrol scooters

[Jon307]

Hi all,
I’ve been going to Le Mans every year without fail for many years and have noticed the increase in petrol scooters being used. Does anyone know the legality of them as a few of us are toying with bringing some this year. They won’t be used for getting to and from or around circuit, but mainly on the Friday to the hotel and to Arnage instead of using mountain bikes. I’m sure I’ve read somewhere that in France any petrol “vehicle” needs an mot type ticket to be on the road. Anyone take them or have any thoughts?

Cheers

Jon.

[descentia]

French law states powered scooters, electric or petrol, can only be used on public highways if they conform to certain rules, They are banned on pavements.
I imagine their use on private land , like the Le Mans circuit, will be a decision for the landowner.

https://www.thelocal.fr/20181024/riding-an-electri...

https://trottinette-lab.fr/reglementation-loi/

https://www.motoservices.com/sites/trottinette.htm

[knobby]

I think the best advice is 'don't get caught'!

[JT3K]

Having done it a couple of times I can only advise that it's simply not worth it. Particularly on Fridays the French police are out in force. Not the genteel types but the big scary buggers with the bats and guns. As "Mad Friday" culture is dying down, the police are still throwing the same numbers out but they've now got less to do.

In the eyes of the law, those scooters are wholly unable to be on the road. In the eyes of the ACO, those scooters are wholly unable to be on the larger LM circuit. In the eyes of pikies (who took one of mine in 2013) those scooters are very desirable.

So. Plenty of bored police who'd like to stop you and if they do you'll either have it taken or not be allowed to ride it home. If you do happen to get to the circuit, you'll likely not be allowed to bring it in (or should be stopped at least). When it does get in you'll have to contend with traffic and can't take it on to the pit walk so you'll have to chain it up. If you chain it up it'll probably be gone when you get back.

Avoid.

[Jon307]

Cheers for the replies. I’ve always taken mountain bikes, and generally not into the circuit, we’ve always walking from the campsite. Last year, there were more petrol scooters than I’ve ever seen previously, so that’s what got us thinking about taking some.

Pedal power it is then. Looking forward to it again, think this is my 10th and a mates 25th this year.

Cheers all.

[RobbyJ]

These things seem very popular in London now:

https://www.purescooters.com/products/xiaomi-m365-...

These electric scooters have long range and are almost silent and could possibly be folded and strapped to a back pack to get into the circuit. Obviously you need somewhere to charge it but not a bad alternative if getting around is your goal and not tear ar5eing around ;-)

The technology has come a long way from the cheap rubbish on eBay, these are really well made and go pretty quickly for a long way.

[ukcobra]

Worth noting that the Electric scooters are available for hire in Paris. Noticed them on my last few business trips over the last few weeks.
They also have larger electric mopeds to rent.

[hyper jay]

I did consider taking mokey bike but glad I didn't it Must be said how push bike friendly LM is to the extent we rode right up and locked out bike to the ACO stand / building in front of staff nothing was a problem .is the way forward for us

[Jon307]

For years we’ve always taken bikes which is great, but scooters was just one of those ideas over a few beers last year.

Bikes work great, so will do that again this year.

[E36GUY]

descentia said:

French law states powered scooters, electric or petrol, can only be used on public highways if they conform to certain rules, They are banned on pavements.
I imagine their use on private land , like the Le Mans circuit, will be a decision for the landowner.

https://www.thelocal.fr/20181024/riding-an-electri...

https://trottinette-lab.fr/reglementation-loi/

https://www.motoservices.com/sites/trottinette.htm

Translation of the third link below:

Scooter with gasoline engine and electric scooter

The scooter or the scinette of our childhood comes back to the taste of the day but this time equipped with a gasoline engine or an electric motor. These scooters will delight both young and old who will finally see the dream of their childhood come true. But be careful, contrary to what is stated on many websites. The scooter or motorized scooter with an engine, whether electric or thermal, must be able to be driven on the lanes open to public traffic (Community type approval - DIRECTIVE 92/61 / EEC on the construction of vehicles modified and transposed to French law ( Order of 7 July 1995 on the type-approval and technical regulation of two- or three-wheel motor vehicles and motor quadricycles and their systems and equipment)

During a roadside check, it is therefore necessary to provide the Community certificate of conformity corresponding to the vehicle. Community conformity certificate which must be submitted by the manufacturer or his accredited representative in France when purchasing the scooter. In the absence of this certificate of conformity, the motor scooter is not a vehicle and therefore does not have the right to use lanes open to traffic (Article R321-4 of the Highway Code).
So be very careful when buying a scooter to verify that it is approved. It should be noted that failure to comply with this regulation entails for the user a fine of the fourth class 750 € and for the seller a fine of fifth class 1500 € and in case of repetition, an offense punishable by a prison sentence.

See also the answer published in the OJ of 26/10/2004 page: of the Minister of the Interior following a question from a Member (question N ° 45849) concerning the use of scooters on public roads.


The use of the scooter also requires following certain rules such as:
- Respect the rules of the road.
- be over 14 years old
- wear an approved helmet.
- take out liability insurance (do not forget to contact your insurer).
Last tip if you do research on the internet on the scooter do not write a scooter with a single t as do many Internet users but with two t (scooter) otherwise you would miss most of the information.
The opinion of the Administration concerning the use of the motorized scooter on roads open to public traffic

The scooter equipped with an engine, whether electric or thermal, to be able to circulate on the lanes open to public traffic must be a vehicle and as such to have been received (Community approval - DIRECTIVE 92/61 / EEC on the construction of vehicles modified and transposed into French law (decree of July 7, 1995 NOR: EQUS9501104A) www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnTexteDeJorf
During a roadside check, if the person can not provide the Community certificate of conformity corresponding to the vehicle, issued by the manufacturer or his accredited representative in France, this means that the motor scooter is not a vehicle, its user is in violation (Code of the road, article R321-4) www.legifrance.gouv.fr/WAspad/UnArticleDeCode

[Some Gump]

I'd also question if there's drink scootering laws!

Bikes at LM are perfect. Use to get about, don't be an arse and ride in the busy bits / village, take an ebay / gumtree nail so kt's less stealable, but still lock it. Perfect!