I have hopes of taking a 4 or 5 day trip along one of the canal tow-paths, possibly combining this with a bit of camping, if my arthritis will allow me.
I was wondering about taking an electric bike as my means of transport and decided to contact VNF (Voies Navigables de France) who, apparently, are responsible for these paths to ask if electric bikes were allowed on the tow-paths. Here is their reply, which I have translated using Google:
"In response to your question on towpaths, I refer you to article R. 4241-70 of the transport code, âno one may drive or park a vehicle on the dikes and towpaths of canals, diversions, channels and reservoirs, nor on the towpaths and exploitation paths built along public waterways belonging to the State, unless they have written authorization issued by the authority managing the area.â In addition, traffic on the greenway is a road exclusively reserved for the circulation of non-motorized vehicles, pedestrians and horse riders (article R 110-2 of the highway code - decree of September 16, 2004). Article R 412-7 specifies that drivers of motorized vehicles must not drive on a greenway."
While they do not mention electric bike, on the basis that an electric bike has an electric motor, I guess this makes it a âmotorized vehicleâ and would therefore be banned from canal tow-paths ⊠. .
Badly worded rules maybe, written by someone who didnt get the full message but some of these off road electric bikes can really shift so one rule for all in our numpty world.
How are electric bikes classified in France for use on the road? Are they motorised but permitted or classed as non-motorised because of low speed capability?
Forgetting all the electric trottinettes and other electric powered things e-bikes are sold and used in two categories. Most of them fit into the lower category and are pedal assisted (not electric powered) cycles with a maximum power output and are assisted up to 25kmh. A more powerful pedal category exists with more powerful motors which can be assisted up to 45 or 50 kmh. The former are treated like bicycles and do not need a licence, insurance or compulsory protective clothing to be worn. They can use cycle paths and park in cycle parking areas. The latter are treated like mopeds. Their users need a licence and the bike needs to be registered and insured. They are banned from cycle paths and cycle parking. The rider must wear the same protective clothing as a moped rider. That includes a motorcycle crash helmet and CE approved gloves.
The problem is that most e-bikes look the same so a lot of people use the more powerful bikes without complying with the law.
As long as the user has an e-bike that fits into the first category it can be used anywhere in France where cycling is permitted.
We do a lot of walks on canal paths and are frequently mown down by electric bikes. So of they are not permitted then this rule is not enforced! We have however been pulled up for having our dog off the lead - our previous dog who generally walked sedately at our heels and would never chase a bike.
If cycling is permitted e-bikes are permitted. In general e-bikes are ridden no faster than conventional bicycles. They are much slower than your average cyclist on a racing bike.
The e-bikes on the towpaths do feel as of they are going much more quickly than most of the 2 wheel potterers, but also donât seem to have worked out the courtesy of using a bell
That applies to most cyclists electric or otherwise, dog walking through our local park is a hazzard, on the road cyclists demand courtesy whilst they show the public very little.
Youâre lucky! Along our bit they are practising for the Tour de France! We used to be potterers and we used to take Vita our Airedale with us. There was an occasion when she was dawdling and one of the âracersâ rushed past her. She mistakenly thought it was one of us and went charging after him. OH then had to go charging after her, cycling as fast and as hard as he could to try and catch up with them both. Fortunately after about half a mile or so she twigged she was following the wrong bike. OH got his cardiovascular workout that day!
I agree about them not using their bells as they come up behind us. Frustrating.
Even those that have bells etc like Lime bikes dont use them. Around Lewisham the deliveroo bikes do not have lights, I have written to my local MP about it as they are a bloody hazard at night. They are from a business so should be inspected.
E-bikes with pedal assist offer a lot of help on gradients or when cycling into headwinds. They do not make a bicycle faster. My son and his partner are keen cyclists and we share our rides with eachother using Strava. The average speeds they record on their rides tend to be significantly faster than the speeds I record on my e-bike, the advantage of youth over age. A couple of summers ago I cycle toured along the Dordogne with my cousin and her husband. The only times we, on e-bikes could keep up with him on an old mountain bike was when there was a long gradient. We actually cycled alongside a canal for a while, it was lovely.
A 70 kg person hurtling towards you on a 30kg power assisted bike can cause significant damage to a pedestrian. We have just returned from a tour along the Spanish Mediterranean coast and the number of electric scooters, bikes and one and two seater mobility scooters is mind blowing. whatâs more the speed that many are driven at is downright dangerous.
Like all things new, legislation on how such things should be used comes as an after thought. There are a few courteous users but there are many more that become green eyed blinkered monsters and think that footpaths were made for them and of course much safer than the roads to play on.
I think you are confusing pedal assist e-bikes with other probably illegal electric powered vehicles. The thread was asking about cycling in France on an e-bike. Anybody who has used one knows that the scaremongering spread by people who have never used one is untrue. The advantage offered by a pedal assist e-bike is they allow riders to cope with gradients and headwinds, they do not make them faster. Try one and you will understand.
As a lifetime cyclist I wouldnât use a bell, but I would call ahead to warn someone on foot of my approach where appropriate. Being knocked off your bike by a ped bumbling about at random is likely no fun, and Iâd much prefer them to be aware Iâm coming.
Had a funny experience when riding the artificial trails in the Afan cycle park. There was a chap walking his dog up one of the bike trails and he took me to task as I approached. I explained these were trails designated and made for cycling and he stated crossly that he had been walking these newly created trails all his life. Div.
But why are you singling out e-bikes? You could say the same about all forms of transport. I, you and the majority of people who use e-bikes are no more of a problem on shared paths than any other cyclists. We do not approach pedestrians any faster or with any less awareness.
