Police have been authorised to fine cyclists and other non-driving road users if they do not use a new cycle lane in a commune in the south of France.
Mayor of La Trinité (Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur), Ladislas Polski, said the move is a form of “active education” for a new cycle lane that connects the town’s centre with central Nice.
La Trinité is around 8-10 km away from Nice city centre.
In mid-May, the mayor took out a decree that allows the town’s municipal police to fine cyclists, e-scooter users, and hoverboarders, who are not using the cycle lane as requested.
The lane has been built to link the town to the nearby city, as La Trinité is a “highly strategic junction linking all the major communication routes in the area”, said Mr Polski. It was created with agreement from Nice President Christian Estrosi, as a way to “upgrade the entrance to the town of La Trinité”, he said, to Le Figaro.
“We're already seeing a great deal of take-up of these facilities,” said Mr Polski. “With cycle paths, shared spaces, pedestrian sections and so on.”
The mayor said that it was in “cyclists’ interest” to use the new route, but that it would also improve the roads for “motorists and traffic flow in general”.
Mr Polski said that the decree had not been made in a punitive, harsh manner.
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“It's more a form of active education. I've instructed the municipal police to show goodwill towards offenders,” he said.
Part of the cycle lane project is still under construction, but it will be complete by September. From this time onwards, police will be encouraged to enforce the rules more harshly.
“At the start of the new school year, when the entire track has been completed, we may be a little tougher,” said Mr Polski.
