Bikes can ignore one-way rules

CYCLING the wrong way up a one-way street is to be made legal in France from July 1 - but with certain restrictions.

The new rules will only apply to roads in a 30kph zone, and individual town halls will have the option not to follow the initiative if they consider it too dangerous.

Towns and cities around the country have begun updating their road signs to raise awareness of the new rules.

An extra line should appear underneath the no-entry sign reading: "Sauf vélos" (except bikes) and a sign at the other end of the street will warn drivers to look out for cyclists.

Road safety body Certu oversaw a five-year trial on 25 roads in the small Alsace town of Ill-kirch-Graffenstaden, which produced no accidents - although it is not yet clear how motorists in busy cities such as Paris will react.

Pedestrian group Les Droits du Piéton supports the move, although it says cyclists have a responsibility to look out for other road users - especially old people crossing the street who might not hear the bike approaching.

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Marco Richter - Fotolia.com