New fines planned for bad cyclists

ROAD safety authorities in France are calling for more fines to be issued to cyclists who put themselves and other road users in danger.

The CNSR believes the widespread handing out of token fines would reduce the number of accidents involving push bikes, as well as limiting cyclist deaths which are up six per cent this year.

It comes after a recent survey by insurer MMA found 44 per cent of cyclists had a feeling of impunity - believing that police were not interested in pursuing them for minor breaches of the Code de la Route.

Cycling fines have already been tested out in Strasbourg, where more than 800 have been handed out since 2012. The city has reported a 37 per cent fall in accidents since.

CNSR says it should now be extended to all French cities and big towns. Nine breaches of the Code de la Route would initially be covered - including cycling up one-way streets, ignoring red lights and stop signs, using a mobile phone and refusing to give way to pedestrians on a crossing.

Failure to wear a helmet will not be included - but the CNSR recommends it nonetheless.

The idea is being discussed in a road safety meeting at the National Assembly in Paris today. It is proposed that a breach that would attract a €135 penalty for a car driver would cost a cyclist about €57.

Last year, 147 cyclists were killed on French roads - and bike use in Paris alone has grown by 400 per cent in recent years.