The fines make the most undervalued civic cyclists – BBC

The fines make the most undervalued civic cyclists – BBC

VIDEO – With the increase of “soft traffic” in the cities, the concept successfully tested in the Urban Community of Strasbourg will be tested elsewhere in France

Fines sold off at half price for bikes: this is the concept that is being tested in the Urban Community of Strasbourg and that could be experienced elsewhere, according to a recommendation on Monday, the National Council road safety.

With this initiative, it is actually better calibrate the punishment for it to be used more against the two-wheeled sometimes whimsical use of a well-Code road. Thus, if the police have qualms about punishing a fine of 90 euros a cyclist does not observing a stop, experience shows that they are less hesitant when they use a lighter verbalization, tumbling to 45 euros. And direct consequence: the one behind the handlebars stops playing rules, objective of this measure, since it is, in fact, to give those who pedal on the right path

. Thus, since November 2012, when started the Strasbourg experiment, 800 fines were erected, mostly for illegal crossing lights, the great specialty of the followers of cycling. A total of nine offenses were selected to apply a minus fine. Among them, the use of hand-held phone or traffic prohibited direction. “There is a good acceptability of the measure,” the Chairman of the Committee “two wheels” Patrick Jacquot, who presented the device.

Not only there was no outcry against this verbalization to a previously saved class but, in addition, the two-wheeler accidents have decreased. In Strasbourg, where 15% of trips are made by bicycle, they fell by 37%. But in anticipation of a steady increase in this mode of transport in cities that are promoting, it is necessary to remember that the rules apply to all, according to Genevieve Laferrère, the French Federation president of users the bicycle (Fub).

At the same time, it points out, the real increase already this sweet circulation in France was not accompanied by an increase in the accident rate in this category. Each year, in fact, there are about 150 killed, including an urban fifties. “Besides, more practice up in phases over the rider will be taken into account by other users and the fewer accidents,” says the head of the Fub noting injustice suffered by cyclists. If consumers have obligations, they also have rights as those granted to them by 30 areas where they can move in reverse. “Provided, however, that cities are the sign to indicate this. But lack of money in the coffers, they do not and bikes that run in reverse are sanctioned. But common refuse, in reality, this two-way traffic waive the 30 km / h and return to 50 km / h, “she said.

If the Strasbourg experience is conclusive, it remains to ensure that it can expand nationally without infringing the principle of equality before the law. This is what must check the Interministerial Delegate for road safety, Jean-Robert Lopez.