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Bike pathFrance

An introduction to the traffic rules and road signs of France. Learn about driving, road safety and much more in our illustrated book, with answers to frequently asked questions.

For informational purposes only. Always follow official regulations. Some content and images were created with AI assistance.

Traffic signs
Traffic rules
France

10. Bike path

A bike path is a part of a road or a separate route intended primarily or exclusively for people riding bicycles. It may be physically separated from motor traffic, marked on the road surface or identified by traffic signs.

Bike paths may be one-way, two-way or shared with other road users. The permitted users, direction of travel, priority rules and obligation to use the path depend on local traffic signs and regulations.

Path for cyclists. (Thonon-les-Bains, France)
Wikimedia.org • Marc Mongenet • CC BY-SA
How does France distinguish a cycle track from a cycle lane?

A piste cyclable is a separate cycling carriageway; a bande cyclable is a reserved lane within a carriageway with several lanes. Both differ from an ordinary pedestrian pavement.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R110-2, R411-3-2, R412-7, R412-34, R431-9

Must cyclists use every French cycle track or lane?

No. A compulsory-use obligation must be established by the competent authority. The round blue bicycle sign indicates compulsory use; the square bicycle sign identifies a recommended and reserved facility. Check the sign rather than assuming all cycling facilities are compulsory.

🔗 questions.assemblee-nationale.fr • French National Assembly, official answer on compulsory cycle-facility signs — Assembly official ministerial reply on authority-imposed obligation; IISR4 Article66 B22a and IISR5 C113 recommended/reserved facility.

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Cerema current IISR part 4 consolidation

🔗 equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • French IISR part5, indications and services, September2025 consolidation

Mandatory path for cyclists. Mandatory path for cyclists.

English • Traffic sign B22a • Compulsory cycle track or lane for cycles without sidecars or trailers, reserved for two- or three-wheeled cycles.

Français • Panneau B22a • Piste ou bande obligatoire pour les cycles sans side-car ou remorque et réservée aux cycles à deux ou trois roues.

Sources

🔗 Commons.wikimedia.org
🔗 Equipementsdelaroute.cerema.fr • Arrêté du 24 novembre 1967

© Roulex 45 et les contributeurs Wikimedia • CC BY-SA 4.0 • SVG original non modifié.

Image via Commons.wikimedia.org
Roulex 45 • CC BY-SA 4.0 • Source revision 2023-08-13. Wikimedia original unmodified.

May mopeds use French cycle tracks?

Two-wheeled mopeds without a sidecar or trailer may use them only where the competent authority has authorised that use. This is a specific exception. The existence of a cycle track does not open it to ordinary motorcycle or car traffic.

🔗 legifrance.gouv.fr • French Road Code — R110-2, R411-3-2, R412-7, R412-34, R431-9

1 France 2 Motorway 3 Expressway 4 Residential area 5 Zone 6 Speed limit 7 Minimum speed 8 Advisory speed 9 Footpath 10 Bike path 11 Pedestrian warning 12 Tunnel 13 Bridge 14 Cycling street 15 Pedestrian zone 16 Speed bump 17 Toll road 18 Customs 19 One-way traffic 20 Quay 21 Slope 22 Bus lane 23 Bus stop 24 Dead end 25 Stop sign 26 Give way 27 Roundabout 28 Priority road 29 Road narrowing 30 Priority over oncoming traffic 31 Give way to oncoming traffic 32 Pedestrian crossing 33 Railway crossing 34 Mandatory direction 35 Turn prohibition 36 School area 37 Overtaking 38 Crossing animals 39 Slippery road 40 Rockfall 41 Aircraft 42 Curve 43 Chevron 44 Wrong-way driving 45 Roadworks 46 Crosswind 47 Height limit 48 Width limit 49 Length limit 50 Weight limit 51 Radar speed sign 52 Selective barriers 53 Low-emission zone 54 Priority at the next junction 55 Traffic lights 56 Traffic lights warning 57 Pedestrian lights 58 Road markings 59 Junction layout 60 Bike box 61 Speed feedback 62 Driving licence 63 Location marker 64 Road number 65 Countdown markers 66 Public toilet 67 Rest area 68 Traffic mirror 69 Emergency telephone 70 International border 71 Cycling route 72 End of restriction 73 Parking 74 No parking 75 No stopping 76 Parallel parking 77 Alternate-side parking 78 Parking meter 79 Parking disc 80 Disabled parking 81 Traffic management 82 Merging 83 Reversing 84 U-turn 85 Carpool 86 Traffic jam 87 Uncontrolled crossroad 88 Road surface 89 Ring road 90 Exit 91 Information point 92 Horse riding 93 Provisional licence 94 Hazardous cargo 95 Emergency exit 96 Runaway truck ramp 97 Radio service 98 Oversize load 99 Lane 100 Tyre inflation station ...