Cycling UK Forum

Does anyone know the up to date law about wearing helmets when cycle/touring in France.
As far as I know there is no requirement to wear a helmet, but I dont want to be caught out without one if the law has changed since my last trip a few years back.

I have bought this subject up before, but as I am (hopefully) off to Spain early September I am trying to clarify the current situation. My understanding of the law now is that it is much the same as before but now everyone under the age of 18 must wear a helmet at all times. When I was in Spain two years ago the law seemed to be that you did not have to wear a helmet in towns, going up hills or in hot weather. Who defines a hill, or hot weather I am not sure.

Thanks folks. Seems much as it was two years ago. Hope any new law doesnt come in before September.

Can anyone tell me if the law in Spain regarding helmets has altered in the past 2 years. I know there has been some talk about it. When we were there last (2011) I think the law was that you wore helmets unless it was hot (who decides if it is hot), no helmets in town and riding up hills. Thanks.

Last Friday I was riding on the cycle path which goes along in front of a school just as the pupils were coming out. One 15 year old knocked me off my bike on to a moving car by not looking where she was going and flinging her arms about .
Fortunately I was not badly hurt, just cuts, grazes and bruises. Bike OK. The car came off worse by both me and my bike hitting it and causing a dent and some scratches. The lady driver was very shaken obviously and agreed that in no way was I to blame. The girl shot off but a teacher and a crowd of other students witnessed the incident.
I did understand that if there was a cycle path you should ride on it and not on the road in case there was an accident (on the road) but it seems you are just as likely to have an accident when riding on the path. I have been interviewed by the Headmaster and wait to hear further.
Had it happened just seconds earlier I would have been knocked on to the road in front of the car and who knows what would have happened then..........

We have cycled from Bordeaux to Narbonne via Toulouse. We followed mainly the Garonne river and then the canal laterall.
From Toulouse we did the Canal du Midi. Reasonably easy cycling with a full load.
Another year we left Bordeaux and cycled through the Landes forest area for a couple of days. I think there was quite a bit of camping there. Maybe you could go south for a bit before turning east towards Toulouse.

We are thinking about getting the Bike Bus to Narbonne, then taking a week to get to Roses (Spain), possibly stay there a week, to pick up the bus for the return journey. First bit of journey OK, but the wife does not fancy the bit from Perpignan over the Pyrenees. What is it like sticking mainly to the coast? A friend has told us there is a velo route going south from Perpignan, cant find anything about it though. We have had many hoidays in Roses, so know the Spanish side quite well.

Thank you. More or less as I thought.

We are going to Rosas (N.Spain) in Sept. by the Bike Bus. We have been before several times and as far as we are aware it is not compulsory to wear helmets ie when it is hot, going uphill and in a built up area, is this still the case? Does anyone know.

Thanks everyone, you are really giving us something to think about.

Having cycled le Canal de Midi in France several times, we now thought we would try a bit of "touring" on English/Welsh canals instead. Apart from the Kennet & Avon Canal does anyone know of any other longish rides. Are there any books out there that give this sort of information. My library cant come up with anything.

Hi,
Chalky's wife here, not himself. He will be 80 next year and is THINKING
of riding a 10 mile time trial. A last fling at thinking he is still young. What we would like to check on is what is the Vets Standard time for that distance - do they still do that sort of thing. Some years since he has last raced.
I know you are helpful people out there as we have asked questions before and someone
always comes up with an answer.
Thanks.

There were 500 pieces. I have now finished the puzzle, and have taken it apart ready for my friend to have a go, but will try and photograph the picture on the outside of the box.

Whilst I am recovering from a broken ankle I have been loaned a jigsaw called "Racing Cyclists", I think it is a photo of a massed start, probably in the 70's. Anyone any recollection of this and knows the race etc. I have been told it was featured in the magazine - dont know when but presume about the time it came out.

No doubt this topic has been discussed before , but I need to know if they work. My 19 year old grandson cycles home from work about 9pm every evening and is regularly chased by a dog. The owner has been asked to keep it in around this time, but that doesnt always work. Do I get my grandson a dog dazer for Christmas. If so, are any better than any other?