Letters: Minority of French motorcyclists think they are in a video game
Reader says that UK and German bikers act more responsibly
Only a few motorcyclists act like boy racers
geen graphy / Shutterstock
To the Editor,
In the October issue the subject of motorcyclists riding between lanes came up.
Firstly, a letter from Mr Anderson, a car driver who had suffered a mirror broken by a careless motorcyclist, and on the next page an explanation of the rules surrounding this manoeuvre.
To Mr Anderson I would like to apologise on behalf of the majority of motorcyclists. It is the minority that give us bad press. Unfortunately, this minority think they are in some sort of race or video game.
The limit of 50km/h to filter through traffic is perfectly adequate – you are at least moving ahead.
The problem comes with the gradual enlargement of cars to camionette proportions – a bad habit adopted by the motor industry.
A departmental road measures four metres in width. Now go and measure your car width and see the space remaining for a motorcycle.
Generally, I find that French motorists move over when they see a motorcycle overtaking, particularly as traffic slows, but the greater isolation and distractions within the modern car are reducing that habit.
Tony Regan, by email
To the Editor,
Having just returned from a UK road trip, I observed the glaring difference in behaviour of many motorcyclists on the other side of the Channel.
In the UK, one gets the feeling motorcyclists are far more prepared to abide by the Highway Code, and tend to behave as if they were at the wheel of a car, taking up a position in the line of traffic where they are clearly visible, only pulling out to overtake when it is safe to do so.
The same can be said of German bikers. In my limited experience, only French bikers have this kamikaze mentality and utter disregard for other, legitimate, road users.
Stephen Lewis, by email
What is your experience of motorcyclists in France? Do you find that they act differently in other countries? Share your experience via letters@connexionfrance.com
