French city hands out record number of fines to cyclists
Running red lights and using mobile phones while riding are among main rules broken
Cyclists must follow rules laid out in the Code de la Route
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A record number of fines have been issued to cyclists in Lyon in recent months, as authorities look to crack down on a rise in offences committed by bikers across the city.
Green city mayor Grégory Doucet has pushed cycling in the city with infrastructure and limits on non-electric vehicles, but stresses that this does not give cyclists free-reign to flout rules.
“The rules apply to everyone, without exception. Safety is non-negotiable,” he said.
Authorities have issued 236 fines to cyclists already in 2025, higher than the 211 across all of 2022 and the recent yearly average of 200.
In 2019, the start of Mr Doucet’s term, only four fines were handed out.
In addition, more than 100 scooter (trottinette) or e-scooter riders have been fined in the city this year, mostly for offences related to running a red light (these also apply to two-wheeled vehicles) and using a mobile phone when in control of the vehicle.
The city now has a unit of 13 police officers dedicated to cycling in the city, with a remit that includes catching those breaking these rules.
The push to penalise rule-breakers is part of a wider strategy to improve transport safety.
“Lyon aims to be exemplary, through a clear three-pronged approach: punishment for offenders, prevention from an early age, and redesigning public spaces to protect the most vulnerable,” said the mayor.
The mayor’s plan for the next 15 years in the city would see the number of cars halved and the number of cyclists increased ten-fold.
Lyon is no stranger to cyclist drama, and last year a cyclist was stabbed over a row at a set of traffic lights in the city.
Cyclists must follow road rules
Despite not being in a motorised vehicle, cyclists in France must adhere to many of the rules in France’s driving safety laws, the Code de la Route.
As cycling expands in France, these laws are updated, including a set of changes at the end of last year regarding lights that can be used on vehicles.
Alongside specific rules for cyclists, several regulations are shared between cyclists and drivers, which can often catch cyclists out.
These include requirements to stop at a red light (even if there are no pedestrians), using mobile devices when cycling, speeding, using earphones or headphones, and cycling under the influence of alcohol.
Breaking these rules can come with a fine if caught, and although there is no risk of ‘losing points’ on a licence as if with driving after breaking a rule, the bike can be confiscated by police in serious cases (such as drink-cycling).
Officers in Paris noted nearly 90 cyclists in only one of the city’s arrondissements breaking such rules in a single morning patrol, during a recent dedicated check.
More rules can be found in our article here.
