Don’t think Grüezi would be understood in France? but with a loud voice before passing "cassez vous, would. You can always be polite afterward and say bonjour 
I am very tolerant of other road users, and a firm adherent of the ‘steam gives way to sail’ principal, but if I were on a footpath and someone on a bike shouted “Cassez-vous!” while approaching from behind, they’d probably discover that a stick became lodged in their rear wheel as they overtook me.
1 Like
Just a bit of humour, why are peeps getting worked up over any sort of bikes on a path.
2 Likes
When I cycled along the Dordogne we stopped at a different campsite every night. There are always convenient campsites in France.
1 Like
I’m simply putting people right about pedal assist e-bikes as there seems to be a lot of people who don’t seem to understand how they work. They can be ridden with assistance from below walking place to 25kmh. They are just like other pedal powered bicycles, they don’t rush off at an uncontrollable speed on their own. Sharing public rights of way with other users is something completely different. You seem to lack respect for non walkers. In my experience sharing rights of way between walkers, cyclists, e-bike riders, horse riders and motorcycles is rarely a problem.
Nasty.
Hi Mike. I’ve had a Kalkoff electric bike since 2012 . I use it anywhere an unpowered bike is allowed. Under the law there is no difference between a pedelec and a traditional bike. Enjoy the trip.
I would plan the journey around camp-sites, hotels and restaurants. I might not camp every night. I would be quite happy to book into a hotel/B&B/Chambre d’Hote with a nice restaurant nearby, so I could have a nice leisurely meal and then toddle back to a comfortable hotel bed. But I must say I have always loved camping . And camp cooking too. Mind you I haven’t gone camping since an ankle surgery 10 years ago so it would be a bit of an experiment. If it works out, I would plan other similar trips. I used to live by the canal as a child and love canals and rivers, and of course the sea.
3 Likes
Well, as a fastidious follower of the law David, you will know a bell is compulsory on a bicycle here in France. Not to use it might lead to accusations of one considering oneself above the law. And we wouldn’t want that, would we? 
David’s trying a bit of censorship now 
2 Likes
I have not once said that I don’t have a bell on my bicycle, nor have I said I never use it. Why on Earth are you accusing me of doing something that I haven’t done? I even posted a photograph of one o& my bells!
I suggest you read the thread carefully and see who your sarcastic post should be a reply to. Please get your facts right, you seem to be so confused at times. You first post mirrors exactly what I have been saying throughout this thread that a pedal assisted bicycle is not a danger as it only gets assistance when the pedals are being turned. You should be agreeing with my point of view not accusing me of saying something I did not say and, yet again, looking for a confrontation.
Did you flag my post David?
Many moons ago, I used to cycle to work, 12.5 miles in each direction. I had lights, a bell and a rack on the back to carry my bag. I became a bit hesitant about using the bell because some people seemed to recoil instantly and shoot me a scowling look if I rang the bell to warn them of my approach. I wondered if the bell sounded ‘passive aggressive’. I took to using a jolly ‘Good Morning!’ most of the time. On the one or two occasions I needed to do an emergency stop or make a sudden avoiding manoeuvre, I didn’t have time to thumb the bell, I was too busy trying to avoid falling off my bike 
2 Likes
Last year I did a cycling trip with the same people as before based around La Rochelle. We enjoyed several days cycling by the coast, across the Ile de Ré bridge to the tip of the island and along the canalised part of the Sevre Niortaise to Marans.
1 Like
I asked you a question David.
Yes because it was accusing me of something that I did not do. I’m fed up with your bullying tactics. Go pick on somebody else!
1 Like
Wow! How arrogant can you be? I answered your question as soon as I saw it. Goodbye Mr Scully.
We’ll see about that David.
Me too. I have been berated by some for using a bell, and berated by others for not using a bell to warn walkers and riders of my approach (on lanes, bikeways). As a result I always use a timid, tinkle on the bell if I slowly approach walkers who haven’t spotted me approaching. Maybe a second tinkle and then a ‘bonjour’ if they’re still unaware. Usually their dogs or horses have noticed me coming before the humans. Finally lots of merci beaucoup and smiles as I pass them, again slowly. I’m not exactly a speed merchant…
2 Likes
Where I ride in France, I rarely see anyone as I live is a very remote location; I do however ride regularly in CH when I am visiting the office.
When there, I commute to the office and as the city part is often crowed I will use Grüezi; hence it is my more regular greeting. I agree that it would be odd to use in France, but I am that odd person that lives in forest.
I prefer a ting a ling warning of an approaching bike… as I saunter gently along the roads outside our village, enjoying an evening stroll. The bell gives me time to step onto the verge out of harms way…
The verge/ditches are clumpy and uneven, not really safe for walking… but the road is great.
Many times, I’ve been shocked and shaken by an unexpected bicycle silently swooping/swooshing past me and I’ve almost fallen.
I’m not deaf and if I hear a vehicle, I always make sure I am out of their way, standing firmly at the edge of the ditch, bracing myself.
Some cyclists go past as such speed, heads bent down over the handlebars, concentrating on the little bit of road (and not the road ahead!) … I’m not sure they even know I’m there until the last minute, when they swerve and zoom past… and maybe not even then