Every good biker knows it; France has been slow when it
comes to catching up with the European standards
concerning motorcycle legislation, and because of this, it is paying fines to the
European Union. This is the reason why the French motorcycle license was
reformed on January 19th 2013.
This reform
was supposed to modernize the French Legislation and bring it to the European
level while boosting the motorcycle sales which collapsed by 8.7% in 2012. But if we have a
closer look at it, we notice
that the reform leaves out many
points and it is far from boosting a market which doesn’t seem to be getting better.
Indeed
January’s reform only takes into account four of the numerous aspects on which
the French legislation is behind.
Oddly these four points are pretty restricting.
Firstly, it
changes the license itself. The pink paper license is to disappear by 2033 in
favor of a new credit card format. Thanks to which the state will be able to
watch riders more easily.
Secondly,
it creates new categories. Super scooters are not considered as motorcycles anymore and a special license is now needed to drive one. Therefore if you own a super
scooter and a bike, you need two different licenses, and of course, you pay for
both of them. Thanks to this reform, riding a two-wheel becomes much more
expensive. Consequently we can easily imagine that the French state just wants
to make more money through it.
Thirdly,
the creation of a new power limit for young riders up to 47.5 horse power
instead of 34. However the bikes that can be limited to 47.5 horsepower are
only the 2013 models. So if you want to enjoy it, you have to buy a brand new
bike, which is not affordable for everyone. You probably think that young
drivers can still buy an older bike and limit its power to 34 horsepower, but
they are not allowed to do it anymore if the bike’s full power exceeds 68
horsepower. This limits considerably the number of models they can access. So
we can say it isn’t a very good strategy to revive the motorcycle industry. In
fact, the market witnessed a new collapse of 9.1% this year.
On the
bright side it changes the exam itself, making it more adapted to situations
that a biker can encounter on the road, which is the only good point of this
reform.
It is a
shame when you know that none of the bikers's claims have been taken into
consideration.
Furthermore,
France remains the only European country where motorbikes' horse power is
limited to 100 instead of being limited to a maximum speed of 300 km/h as
required by the European law.
French
bikers are also the only ones not compelled to own the whole protective equipment,
which is very dangerous. This is why we
wonder if this reform was motivated by a real desire of the French state to
catch up with the European legislation in order to protect bikers and to
revive the market, or if it was just meant to calm the European Union and stop
them from fining France and make a little extra money thanks to new taxations. Something
is sure, French bikers are still furious, and if we consider the popularity
rate of the French president, they are not the only ones.
Quentin T
Even though I'm not particularly fond of speed sports, I found your reaction toward the reform interesting. You seem passionate and I understand your desire to practice bike in conditions that favor you.
ReplyDeleteBut standardizing reforms at a European level has to be encouraged in all fields, road included. I will gladly say goodbye to the pink-paper license.
Paying for 2 different licenses in order to drive 2 different types of two-wheeler is an expense. But if someone can treat himself with both a bike and a super scooter, I assume he can make it. So in one hand I’m in favor.
On the other hand, I’m quite satisfied with the French horse power limit. Bikes can be dangerous for their drivers and pedestrians or other users of the road. All of us cannot control the speed crave and I have to say that some bikers are scary. As you say, there is already a lack of legislation regarding bikers’ safety there is no need to add some more risks.
We should let the tax conspiracy theories and just accept it as an evolution. Bikes have been evolving, so did the bikers need! Even if they still don't know it! ;)
I might have missed the point, as I said I’m inexperienced, don’t take it the wrong way!
Hello Marion and thank you for you comment.
DeleteWhen you say "Paying for 2 different licenses in order to drive 2 different types of two-wheeler is an expense. But if someone can treat himself with both a bike and a super scooter, I assume he can make it. So in one hand I’m in favor. " I totally agree with you, but the problem remains for people ou own a super scooter and who would like to get a motorcycle instead. not only they would have to pay, but they would also have to wait at least three month to get their license.
For the rest I guess it remains a question of points of view. But I think that we both agree with the fact that the French legislation about this topic remains unfinished.
I agree with you! This reform is completely senseless. Indeed it affects principally young drivers who are forced to buy a recent bike. My boyfriend faced this problem and he has to buy a new bike because the price for limiting the maximum speed of an older bike was about E900. I think freedom lies in rules but senseless rules kill freedom.
ReplyDeleteMélanie
This is exactly what I think, there is no point in this reform that aims to protect the bikers whereas a lot of things could be done about it. As you say it is only a restrictive reform and it is certainly not going to revive the market neither.
ReplyDelete