Cycling

Light and reflector rules for cyclists in France: what is mandatory?

There are laws on the type, position, and colours of lights and reflectors

These are the common and rare cycling signs all road users should know in France

Cycle lane rules, yield signs, and two-way bike traffic signs are all key for drivers to know

Anti-road rage protests in France after cyclist run over and killed by SUV driver

‘Motorised violence kills. We want the public authorities to really get to grips with the issue,’ organiser said

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Unidentified lost bikes in France now risk being destroyed

Older bikes must be manually given identification at approved stores to prevent destruction, as warehouses to store lost bikes become too full

Cyclists in south of France to face fines if they do not use cycle lane

Police will show 'goodwill' and ‘active education’ at first, but get tougher later this year

Gironde department wants 1,000 km of new cycle paths by 2030

Authorities hope the lanes will encourage more young people to cycle to school

Do you recognise these French road signs? Their meanings have changed…

Many drivers are unaware that the highway code been updated

Reopening of France’s A13 motorway delayed as new cracks discovered

Traffic built up on neighbouring roads - but the empty lanes were not completely deserted…

French police fine cyclist €400 for riding while wearing headphones

Fine more than tripled due to late payment but student says he never received a penalty notice

MAP: Where are drivers most likely to have an accident in France?

Where are the most dangerous places to drive in France? We take a look at the data

France extends bike aid scheme and adds second-hand bikes

France’s help-to-buy bike bonus aims to encourage people to travel in a more environmentally friendly way

Drivers who pushed over cyclists ‘for fun’ in France sentenced

The men drove up alongside cyclists and hit them in a bid to unbalance their bikes

French hunters and cyclists agree to share land after 15-year debate

The two groups have created a rota for use of a 1,000 hectare area in the south

Tour de France 2024 route revealed: Will it pass near you?

For the first time since 1975 the race will not finish in Paris

The amazing popularity of cycling holidays in France

More and more people are taking to bikes - and are welcome, spending more in many cases than other tourists

What is in the €2bn plan to promote cycling and bike lanes in France?

Campaigners hope the investment will help France catch up with neighbours

Key points from France’s new €2billion plan to encourage cycling

The new ‘plan vélo’ aims to make cycling an attractive form of transport and instil a cycling culture in France, which will also boost the economy

Cyclists who made huge GPS dinosaur on France trip break world record

The group’s remarkable 1,025km route took them through the central departments of Cher, Saône-et-Loire, Indre, Nièvre, Creuse and Puy-de-Dôme

Sales of new electric bikes boom in France, push bikes fall

It comes after already-strong years during and after the pandemic for the electric market

Will electric bikes and scooters soon need number plates in France?

Senators have introduced a proposed law that would make licence plates mandatory for electric scooters ( trottinettes ) and most electric bikes

Drought measures, fuel prices, FIFA awards: The week ahead in France

This week (February 27-March 5) also sees the start of the Paris-Nice cycling race and the 40th anniversary of the death of iconic Tintin creator Hergé

30% rise in cyclist deaths in France and countryside is worst

Over the past few years much effort has been put into the cycling infrastructure in many French cities, but not in the countryside

Nice trials video software to fine drivers who block cycle routes

City is testing software that automatically detects vehicles parked on bike paths

Call for urgent action after steep rise in cyclist deaths in France

Road safety associations deplore ‘increasingly aggressive’ behaviour of motorists, particularly in rural areas

France’s first bicycle-hearse brings ‘softness’ to funerals

The ‘corbicyclette’ is shaking up the French funeral business by transporting coffins to the cemetery on a bicycle, a quiet, eco-friendly alternative to the traditional hearse

French e-bike mania spurs entrepreneurs to design their own models

A growing number of companies in France are looking to challenge the dominance of Chinese imports, although most still rely on Asian parts

Can I take my bike on a trip across France using trains?

We look at how French rail services are designed to accommodate bicycles

Sailing firm offers greener Channel crossing by catamaran

A British sailor and environment expert is trialling daily crossings for foot passengers and cyclists

Two cyclists in France each stung 50 times in hornet attack

The pair were rushed to hospital in a critical condition after the incident which is said to be extremely rare

‘A lot of cycling’: a great way to help support cancer care in France

Cancer Support France is asking people to get on their bikes (or go on a hike) for their annual fundraiser

New type of traffic light aims to improve cyclist safety in France

Cyclist deaths were four times higher in May than they were in the same month in 2019

Map: Does this year’s Tour de France pass through a town near you?

We look at where cyclists will be as well as give some tips for watching the event

Discover France by bike this summer on one of its cycle holiday routes

We pick out websites and routes to help you plan your long-distance cycling holiday in some of the most beautiful parts of France

French resident on 12,000km virtual cycle in aid of addiction support

The woman and her friends had the idea after the death of a close friend. ‘We also want to raise awareness… to show that addiction travels with a person’

Mai à vélo: Get involved in France’s month-long celebration of cycling

Free, family-friendly cycling events are organised throughout May, as well as a national challenge to see which area can cycle the furthest

French cyclists launch ‘bad parking’ photo competition on Twitter

The contest invites people to send in photos of poorly parked vehicles in Lyon, especially those in cycle lanes

Two thirds of people polled support mandatory bike helmets in France

However only 30% say they always wear a helmet currently. The point has been debated repeatedly in the French parliament and Senate

Frenchman, 85, reunited with bike his parents gave him when he was ten

The bike was traced back to him by a fellow villager after a junk dealer asked him to help him identify the name on the identification plate

Covid-19 France: cycling for exercise

I have two small questions about confinement: 1. I understand the ban on competitive or sporting cycling, but can I use my bike for exercise as long as I keep to a 1km limit from my home? 2. Can a couple both go in a car to the shops, but only one does the shopping and the other stays in the car?

Fan who caused Tour de France rider pile-up with sign appears in court

Lawyers have called for a four-month suspended prison sentence for the 31-year-old Breton woman. They say they want her case to serve as an example so it never happens again

Tour de France 2022 route revealed: will it pass near you in France?

The race will move from Dunkirk across the Vosges, Alps and Pyrenees, after beginning in Copenhagen - and 2022 also sees the return of the women’s ‘Tour’

Chris Froome shares joke after French reporter fails to recognise him

The four-time Tour de France winner unexpectedly appeared in a TV news clip on forest fires with the reporter referring to a ‘holiday cyclist’ blocked from passing. Froome later shared the ‘holiday cyclist’s’ ride details

Thrills, spills, tears and a rider strike: 2021 Tour de France so far

Tour de France fan Brian McCulloch recaps the high points so far of the ‘sensational’ event that many call the Greatest Race on Earth

Court date for woman charged with causing giant Tour de France pile-up

Nine riders were injured in collision caused when a rider hit a spectator who was holding up a sign for TV cameras

France in top 5 for cycling in the world, Google Maps data shows

Rising cycle route use pushes France and the city of Paris into the global top 5, amid record bike sales and national and local government help for bike purchases

Tributes paid as French ‘world’s oldest racing cyclist’ dies age 109

Robert Marchand continued to set competitive cycling records well after his 100th birthday, and was also known for his strong political views and sense of humour

French company to launch stylish airbag jacket for cyclists

The jacket can inflate in 0.08 seconds, allowing it to protect the neck, spinal cord and abdomen of cyclists

MAP: Paris plans 680km of new cycle lanes linking suburbs to centre

Nine major routes should make it easier to travel around Ile-de-France by bike

7 fun facts about cycling in France

Do you know why the French nicknamed bicycle ' la petite reine' or what cycling sport is played on a football or rugby pitch?

French cyclist's jersey shows overtaking distance to drivers on back

In 2020, some 60,000 cyclists were treated by France's emergency services following road accidents

French MPs back more cycling aid including for electric bikes

Extra help to be available to anyone looking to buy an eco-friendly electric bicycle after politicians vote unanimously for additions to major environment bill

What’s new for residents in France in April 2021

It is tax declaration time, while other changes this month affect internet rules, the bicycle repair scheme, gas prices, help with energy bills, and the winter eviction truce

Watch mountain biker complete La Défense tower challenge

Now Aurélien Fontenoy has his sights on a taller challenge still

Pedal power ‘keeps cyclists young at heart'

Cycling is hugely popular in France and its benefits, whether you are a veteran or just starting out, are extensive

France lockdown: Forms for professional athletes

There are special documents for high-level sports people of all disciplines, as well as coaches and other staff to allow them to continue training

Tour de France 2021: Full route details revealed

The race will start in Brittany and remain largely in France for health and logistical reasons

France lockdown: Can I cycle to the shops 10km away?

Reader question: I see that bicycling for exercise is permitted within 1km, but can I use my bicycle to go shopping? My nearest shop is 10km away.

Traps on French forest paths endanger bikers and walkers

Cables tied across pathways and hidden planks spiked with nails are causing serious injury and even death for bikers and walkers in the French countryside

Tour de France 2021: First four stages in Brittany revealed

The race will start in Brest and remain in Brittany until June 29, before moving to Mayenne for stage five.

New road safety campaign for cyclists announced in France

As more people use bikes as a mode of transport in France, the numbers of cycling accidents are also going up - but a new campaign is aiming to change this.

Who is Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar?

A brief history of the 22-year-old rider, who took the 2020 race by storm

French bike repair scheme extended to end of year

The state will invest a further €20 million in the scheme, and double grants for people on low incomes to buy electric bikes.

Rennes naked bike ride cyclists must wear masks

The cyclonudista will go ahead despite ongoing health concerns due to coronavirus, as long as the cyclists wear at least one thing: a mask.

Montpellier makes public transport free at weekends

The measure has been in place since September 5 on the city's buses and trams, and was brought in by the mayor of the city to reduce pollution.

Tour de truth: bicycles with pedals were invented in France

Did you know? Bicycles with pedals were invented in France. We explore the history in advance of this year's Tour de France.

Tour de France 2021 will depart from Brest, not Copenhagen

The Tour de France 2021 will now depart from Brest in Brittany, and not Copenhagen in Denmark as originally planned, in response to scheduling conflicts and postponements linked to this year’s Covid-19 crisis.

Nabila Ramdani: Paris' cycle city plan 'dangerously chaotic'

Turning Paris into a cycle city might make it cleaner but it won’t make it safer, says Connexion columnist.

What is the virtual Tour de France?

Professional male and female cyclists are currently competing in a virtual race with six stages, prior to the real-life Tour de France, which is scheduled to start later this summer.

New mayor plans to make Bordeaux car-free

The new mayor of Bordeaux (Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine), Pierre Hurmic, is moving “towards a ban” on cars in the city, he has said.

Delayed Tour de France 2020 sets out new health measures

Organisers of the Tour de France are looking ahead to this year’s race - which was set to begin today (June 29) but will now start on August 29 - amid new health precautions, and uncertainty about how it will play out.

France tempts people back on to bikes after lockdown

Government offers to cover €50 of repair costs for everyone who wants to get back on their bike after the coronavirus confinement period is eased

Run, walk, cycle: New post-confinement rules in France

Individual walking, running, and cycling will be permitted as soon as deconfinement begins on May 11, the French sports ministry has said, but group sports and other outdoor activities will need to wait longer.

Tour de France 2020 postponed due to Covid-19

The start of the 2020 Tour de France has been postponed to August 29 due to the coronavirus epidemic, although the route appears to be unchanged.

Get saddled up to Cycle for Life

Tour de France 2020: What impact Covid-19?

The Tour de France 2020 may take place without any spectators this year due to Covid-19, the French sports minister has said, and the event could still be postponed or even cancelled completely.