A Few Observations about Cycling in France

The sum total of my cycling in France was an hour long jaunt around Aniane, so I can’t claim to have real personal experience with French cycling. However I did make a couple of observations:

  • Cyclists are treated with much more respect by motorists than they are here in Canada. That means always giving cyclists a wide berth when passing (a few metres wasn’t unusual), always signalling the intention to pass, and not trying to pass if conditions weren’t safe.
  • If you wear cycling shorts, shoes, etc. and are “pro” or “semi-pro” then you also wear a helmet. We never saw an amateur “around town” cyclist wearing a helmet.
  • Cycling seems much more popular as casual recreation; it was not unusual to be sitting at a remote café and have a gaggle of 10 or 15 cyclists show up, dismount, and grab a coffee before continuing on their way.
  • Everyone, pro and amateur, uses hand signals.

I just brought my bike up from the basement this afternoon and I rode it in to the office for the first time after filling up the tires at the Ultramar gas station on the corner.

Read more about cycling on PEI from new cyclist Rob Paterson.

Comments

Cyn's picture
Cyn on May 15, 2005 - 21:34 Permalink

It would be great to see you on Saturdays for the Market Ride Peter. You could show us how the French do it.

Peter Rukavina's picture
Peter Rukavina on May 15, 2005 - 21:53 Permalink

Somehow the notion of group bicycle riding sounds too much like group sex too me. Nothing against it for others, but I like to cycle alone. Perhaps, not to lose out on the experience, I should try it once though.

Cyn's picture
Cyn on May 15, 2005 - 22:52 Permalink

Having never tried group sex, nothing against it for others, but I like to have sex alone…oops…I mean…well, anyways, We’d love to have you Peter. I mean it would be nice to have you join us for a ride…nevermind. Saturday at 9…be there.

Robert Paterson's picture
Robert Paterson on May 16, 2005 - 16:09 Permalink

I promise to keep to myslef Peter but it is fun