Ok, so I'm lucky enough to be heading to the Swiss Alps for a few days with my brother-in-law at the end of June to have a play on our bikes along the big 4 passes.
My question is about this French law on reflective helmet stickers (the only EU country to adopt it) for the couple of days we will be blatting through northern France. It seems from the text that this law is only applicable to new helmets sold in France, and not retrospective for older helmets or for those of visitors who bought their lids in their own country of residence.
Has anyone on this forum travelled through France recently and just not bothered with these stickers?
Did anyone get stopped and fined for not having them?
I know they are only cheap but they will foc-up the design of my lid, and are supposed to be unable to be removed without damaging the helmet which i really dont want to do....
SO........The French want you to put permanent stickers all over your crash helmet in direct contradiction to helmet manufacturers advice regarding the integrity of the lid. :eek
Good job we are in the EU as I'm sure we would be protected against this sort of blatant illegal extortion. :rolleyes
Why not get the stickers, peel off the backing and stick it to some sellotape (sticky side out) and apply them. That way you'll look like you're legal yet the stickers will be removable. (I can't believe 'les flics' will be hauling people over to check the adhesion of stickers.)
Les Flics are not bothered about the stickers. The only time you would need to be worried about being 10000000000% legal is if you get done for something a lot more serious.
Oh and ignore all the bollix about needing to carry a breathalyser kit with you too. The fine for not having one is sooooooo much cheaper than buying one in the first place. The fine is a whopping great €0.00
I had a what the f.. moment when I was planning my trip to France a couple of years back, but what I found was the helmet makers name (Lazer) was in reflective material and for filled the requirement.
I agree it's a bit of a liberty and a waste if time but for piece of mind, as I'll be spending several days riding in France, I got some off fleebay for £3. They where described as white but in fact are a good match for my silver helmet so not too obtrusive. I'm pretty sure they will not make the slightest difference to me being seen or not.
Having recently moved from Spain to France ( Grand Children) and my other half dragged me kicking and screaming + the divorce would have been expensive. All I have down is stick some reflective tape on and as my bike is still on Spanish plates feck em. I am heading over to N Ireland on Thursday via Cherbourg / Rosslare for the Z1000SX meet. So Marmande to Cherbourg is about a 7 hour run I will let you know how many times the Gendarmes pull me over. I have to admit I am looking at French bikers and unless I am blind seems to be that the French have said feck it an all.
MT-09 Tracer for those who no longer can handle a BIG boy Fazer
This would be my reflective sticker choice for France . . . I'm sure they all have fond memories of this particular traditional salute :rollin :rollin :rollin
Treat everything in life the way a dog would- if you can't eat it or foc it, forget it.
