You have chosen the bicycle to get around: a choice that benefits your health, your pocket and the planet. However, you did not expect, by rediscovering the reflexes of children, to enter the jungle of city traffic… Populated by policemen, cars that collect disrespect and pedestrians that do not listen to you! Even this banal incident that interrupts your walk, punishable by a fine of up to 375 euros! Explanation !
Trips in motorized two-wheeled vehicles are also governed by the Highway Code. Although the latter does not include any infraction in particular that affects cyclists, this does not prevent you from being a road user, you must apply the appropriate reflexes to avoid finding yourself in delicate situations.
In the eyes of the law, riding a bike is not without its consequences… a fine is expected
Just like cars, when riding a bike, you are likely to commit offenses punishable by penalties ranging from €11 to €375, not to mention a possible trip to Criminal Court! If you already have a driver’s license, you have a solid foundation. That said, nothing prevents review. Otherwise, here are some elements that will allow you to acquire good reflexes and avoid the always painful verbalization that inevitably demotivates you.
Cyclist holding his helmet and his bike. source: spm
What is the mistake made by a cyclist subject to a fine of up to 375 euros?
Experienced driver or not, you have always exercised caution. However, driving your two-wheeled vehicle, especially around the city, is nothing like the walks, hair in the wind, that gave you so much pleasure with your group of childhood friends. You quickly find yourself traveling in the wrong direction ; cross a white line and even run a red light. By bike, everything is more beautiful and it is so tempting! However, being ticketed makes you think! Even more so if it is a fixed fine of 4me class, which is reduced to 90 euros if you pay immediately or in 3 days, but which most likely will increase to 375 euros, if you are not so scrupulous with these things and decide to exceed a period of 45 days, as explained in the place road safety.gouv.fr. Among the examples of infractions committed: use of the telephone, failure to comply with a stop sign, driving in the wrong direction.
A cyclist who is controlled by the police. source: spm
In addition, sobriety behind the handlebars is essential: drunkenness is of course suppressed. Stay sober for your health and your budget. Speeding, anyone? Think twice, because the worst thing is still this phrase from the verbalizer: “inadequate speed according to the circumstances.” You had seen this pedestrian and you thought you had time to avoid it with a pedal stroke, or even with an application of the brakes… And no! “You bumped into me on purpose! the pedestrian reacts, who however did not fall to the ground, but only complains of a slight pain in the shoulder. He tries to apologize, exculpate himself, but nothing works! They take you for a criminal and to check that you are not intoxicated, you have the right, still in your chair, to a breathalyzer test!
In addition to the fine, is the cyclist at risk of license suspension?
The ticket arrives by mail. Do you want to challenge him? Useless, the crime is characterized by the circumstances and no lawyer can do anything about it. He is still happy that the pedestrian had no more than a simple bruise, as the correctional judge could have discovered it to pay off the medical expenses. Hence the interest in taking out civil liability insurance to cover damage caused to others, as stipulated on the site service-public.fr.
Riding a bike at full speed. source: spm
Beyond the list of punishable offenses, you will have understood: master your machine, your passion and you too can enjoy the benefits of this sport for your health! This is the essential objective, in addition to preserving the planet by eliminating CO2 emissions into the polluted atmosphere of our cities.
read also This crime that should not be committed can cost you a fine of 75,000 euros and 2 years in prison.
