The Paris Ring Road Will Not Allow Filtering

Filtering on a motorcycle on the continent is just as commonplace as it is in the UK, and in some of Europe's capital cities, it is quite literally the only way to make progress.

It’s strange then that in one of Europe's busiest and most congested cities, filtering between lines of traffic on a motorcycle looks set to become a thing of the past.

Specifically, this news relates to Paris and certain sections of its ring road, which is also known as the Périphérique. As mentioned above, it’s not that filtering has been directly outlawed by Paris city hall, it’s come about thanks to, rather ironically, a reduction in the speed limit on some sections of the road.

The French motorcycle website, Le Repaire des Motards reports that certain sections of the ring road, specifically a section between Porte d'Orléans to Porte Dauphine, have seen the speed limit reduced from 70kph (43mph) to 50kph (31mph). While a reduction in the speed of traffic sounds like the ideal scenario to allow filtering to take place more safely, in this case, it means the road no longer falls into the specified remit to allow filtering to take place.

It’s reported that in France, ‘inter-file traffic’ (such as filtering motorcycles and scooters) can only happen on motorways or roads with two or more lanes with a central reservation separating the carriageways. Now for the sticking point, Le Repaire des Motards goes on to report that to allow filtering to take place the speed limit must be greater than, or equal to, 70kph or 43mph.

While that sounds like Parisien bikers are going to have to allow much longer for their morning bimble to deli for their croissant and coffee, that might not be the case. The speed reduction on the sections of the road is part of a wider trial looking into reducing harmful emissions in the city and improving safety. That means come the end of the trail it could be scrapped altogether and the world goes back to normal. Conversely, should city hall like what they see once the trial is over, they could roll it out across the entirety of the Paris Ring Road. Should that happen, Parisien lawmakers would likely need to be lobbied by motorcycle groups to process a new law that grants an exception to the speed limit ruling in certain cases.

To be honest, it’s more likely they’ll just grab their high-viz vests and take to the streets.

Vive la révolution!

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