French Headphone Law

Hi,
In France headphones and earphone are not authorized on a motorcycle since 2015.
This was put in place after analyzing motorcycle accident data.
But helmets with built in system are still authorized (flat speakers under helmet foam)
Exception for ear impaired helps.

@Bikerman Was the question only about audio systems or do you need other precision ? Let me know.

 

What about ear plugs to reduce noise? Are they legal?

 

Wow - Surely we should inform the ‘elf and safety brigade as hearing loss can occur under exposure to prolonged loud noises like riding motorcycles or listening to my wife.

 

Yes it is.
The law specifies that "everything that can produce a sound in the ear is forbidden" They chase more the "distraction effect".
Ear plugs are not producing any sound.
Note that the law is not only for motorcycle but every motor vehicle.

Now to be honest, you can't be arrested on a bike for that, with the helmet police can't really evaluate if you are listening to your sat nav.
I know bikers that answer their phone while riding.

 

Sorry I didn't read the topic from beginning.
I'd juste say hide the cable or make the bluetooth device discreet.

 

Ear plugs are not illegal, hence they are legal.
Wire under scarf is only good in your mind : they are not stupid and it is quite easy to see ! That's my problem : I have a Scala Rider so, with the speaker on the helmet, it is legal but I also want a noise reduction system like ear plugs and if I put some it is then not so good to ear the speaker so I use external headphones that I plug in my Scala Rider (they are good to reduce the external noise). Problem solved... except that then it is illegal !
Maybe but just maybe we could hide the cable on the rear (more difficult to see for the police when you drive). But if they stop you, you are doomed because they can't failed to see it ! For me with the Scala I could reduce the lenght of the wire so that it doesn't go outside of the helmet !?

 

LOL...
never had satnav or radio on bike...take a look at a map before going somewhere, you'll have an idea of your way, then read the signs on the road and it will be fine , France is not a desert where you need at least a compass to find your way ; and if you're lost : just stop & read your map or ask someone, most people are not deaf & can speak.....you can also ask the cops

 

I have ridden in France many times using my Bluetooth headset connected to my satnav with ear plugs in. Not had any problems so I would not worry about the police

 

@Manuel C. All the road signs are in French! How is THAT supposed to help British riders given our National disposition to avoid learning languages.

When The education system here tried teaching me French, the books (cahier) all represented French families as having a mouse and a monkey. That image troubled me for a long while and prevented me learning anything of use. As if the French aren’t strange enough as it is!

Eddie Izzard obviously had a similar experience and did a great sketch about le singe est dans l’arbre.

 

LOL...in my 1st english book, it was written at the top of each page : "what can you see picture one?", because I was sleeping, I've never seen anything...

Really strange...When I go to Inverness or Helensburgh, starting from Dover, I follow the signs showing the motorway going north, and after I follow the sign "Inverness" or "Helensburgh", and, really, it is not difficult to know on which road I am and if it is going north or south.... If I loose my way, I ask or look at the map & often a simple U turn can save the day...
When satnav didn't exist, did Uk drivers/bikers died of starvation being lost out of UK??? Many UK drivers/bikers are travelling across my region, and I never found a british car/bike with dead bodies right nearby...
So, in France, if you want to go "somewhere", then follow the signs showing the right road or direction & then follow "somewhere"... For exemple, from Calais to Paris : go south & follow Paris, & do the opposite when you go back.....
But, if you name our cities with different names, this is a bad idea and this is really not our problem...
I have to say that satnav is really convenient but using a map + your eyes+ your memory + your tongue if needed, is much better for your brain....
If you find a monkey in a tree, just let me know...

 

& don't worry with the cops, most of them are assholes, but they are not really vigilant with headphones on bikes, they are much more concerned with speed limits

 

personne ne va a Limoges, sauf si c'est une punition.