Angry bikers block streets

THOUSANDS of motorcycle riders took to the streets across France in a protest about threats of increased harassment and the lack of recognition given to two-wheeled road users.

The demonstrations, organised by the Fédération Française des Motards en Colere, come after eight months of discussion with government officials that have seen no concrete measures.

One measure at the head of their list is a call to legalise bikers filtering, passing between queuing vehicles in traffic jams.

At the moment it is tolerated but Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux wants it banned and has called for police to crack down on offenders.

Police have also been told to increase road-worthiness checks on motorcycles – to be done at the rider’s expense even if the check finds no fault.

More than 10,000 bikes were on the protest in Paris alone and there were demonstrations in 40 other towns and cities. The bikers rode taking up the space of a car and within minutes had blocked the periphérique ring road as a way of pointing out to the government that filtering is a simple way of allowing free movement of traffic.

They are calling for measures – such as cutting taxes on essential biking safety accessories like helmets – to recognise that the number of motorcycles and scooters has grown by 60% over the past 10 years and they help cut traffic congestion and pollution.