What equipment is obligatory for a cyclist in France in 2025?

Cyclists in France must follow certain rules when it comes to the condition of their bike and equipment they must use and wear, especially as more rules come into force as cyclist numbers increase.

It comes as France’s Code de la route (road safety law) was updated in December 2024 to provide cyclists with additional safety measures. 

Read more: The Code de la route has changed for cyclists in France 

Cycling rules in 2025 state:

Personal safety

• Mandatory wearing of a cycle helmet if the rider is under 12 years of age. The helmet must be in good condition, and fasten properly and tightly enough.

• Strongly recommended wearing of a helmet (in the same way as above) for everyone else, including passengers.

• Mandatory wearing of a certified reflective vest for all cyclists and passengers, if they are travelling outside built-up areas, at times when visibility is poor, and/or at night.

• No wearing of devices that emit sound, such as headphones, earphones or a headset, while cycling.

• No use of your phone while holding it in your hand.

Bicycle condition

• Mandatory two brakes. One each at the front and rear.

• Mandatory reflective reflectors. These must be red at the rear, white or yellow at the front, and orange on the sides and on the pedals.

• Mandatory lights. This must be a yellow or white light at the front, and a red light at the rear. All lights must be in good working order.

• Mandatory warning device, such as a bell, in good working order. Its sound must be audible from a distance of at least 50 metres.

• If riding with a trailer wider than 1.30 metres, the trailer must also be fitted with lighting, including reflectors and position lights.

Riders are also strongly advised to attach a mirror to their handlebars, so they can see vehicles behind them, and to carry a strong ‘D’ lock as a minimum, to secure their bike when not riding it.

Read also: Light and reflector rules for cyclists in France: what is mandatory? 
Read more: French police fine cyclist €400 for riding while wearing headphones

Check your bike

Road safety agency La Sécurité Routiere now has an interactive website tool (pictured in the screenshot below) that allows you to hover over parts of the bike (and its rider) to see the safety equipment and conditions required.

Hovering over the yellow dots (on the tool itself, here) reveal the equipment and details needed, while the red dot advises riders that using earbuds or headphones is banned while riding.

Penalties for non-compliance

Cyclists who break these rules are liable to fines. 

• Not wearing a helmet: Up to €750 

• Not wearing a reflective vest: Up to €150 

• Not having a bell or lighting devices in good working order: Each up to €38

Most of these rules, and the penalties for non-compliance, are summarised in the Service Public image below:

Riders in France are also urged to familiarise themselves with road signs, comply with their instructions, and understand their obligations when sharing roads and cycle lines with other road users.

Read also: These are the common and rare cycling signs all road users should know in France 
Read more: French cycling: France's historical passion for the bicycle

Cyclists are also now able to cycle side-by-side on cycle lanes permanently, even when a vehicle, pedestrian, or other cyclist wishes to overtake them; but are warned that pedestrians still take priority in pedestrian zones.

Read more: Letters: French cycling rules are rarely enforced

A report from 2024 by road safety body l’Observatoire national interministériel de la sécurité routière (ONISR) showed that 221 cyclists were killed on the roads in France in 2023, representing 8% of all road deaths. Figures also suggest that cyclist accidents are increasing.