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Carrying bikes by car in France – what’s the real position on stap-ons?

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  • July 2, 2013 at 3:19 pm #19270
    dafyddp

    Might be taking bikes to France this year, but someone told me that the french Police have been cracking down recently on UK cars arriving in Calais carrying bikes with strap-on racks.
    As I understand it, tow-bar racks are fine because they mechanically attach to the car, but the strap-on ones aren’t considered suitable.

    The rack I’ve got is a Thule 3 bike one, and so long as it’s been attached properly is pretty bomb proof – I’ve done hundreds of miles with three bikes on the back this way in the UK. Our family car (a Chrysler Grand Voyager) has a tow bar and electrics, so I could go out and get a tow-bar version, but I’d just like to clarify the rules first.
    Appreciate I’ll need a lighting board/number plate either way.

    thanks

    D

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Viewing 9 replies - 1 through 9 (of 9 total)
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  • July 4, 2013 at 1:45 pm #745739
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    giff77

    For the cycling part you will
    For the cycling part you will need to carry a hi viz vest in case of poor visability. The standard vest workmen use here with two verticle and two horizontal stripes has the right BS# Also bike has to have both rear and front reflectors. The gendarmes tend to be a bit stricter on this than the Brit Police.

    July 4, 2013 at 1:27 pm #745737
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    cidermart

    Could you get ones for the
    Could you get ones for the roof bars, if you have them, as they might possibly be cheaper than a tow hitch one? It would also negate the lights, vision and overhang issues of driving in Europe. Just a height thing for ferry or train so tell them.
    Definitely check up with what you need to carry the AA or RAC sites should tell you.

    Warning triangle, it was two in Spain before?

    Breathalyser, in France

    Hi-Viz tabards for every occupant, there are minimums on reflective areas so check if they meet them.

    Spare bulbs are not a bad idea, requirements in certain countries as are a First Aid kit and Fire extinguisher.

    July 3, 2013 at 2:52 pm #745735
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    700c

    The best position for using
    The best position for using ‘strap-ons’?!

    Think you may be on the wrong site, but I can’t help you out on that one I’m afraid! 😉

    July 2, 2013 at 11:13 pm #745733
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    dafyddp

    yeah got all that – we’ve
    yeah got all that – we’ve done the trip a few times, but this will be the first with bikes

    July 2, 2013 at 11:12 pm #745731
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    dafyddp

    No space unfortunately! Four
    No space unfortunately! Four kids and all our stuff fills the boot.

    July 2, 2013 at 8:29 pm #745729
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    Alan Tullett

    And a breathalyser test,
    And a breathalyser test, warning triangle ………

    July 2, 2013 at 7:58 pm #745727
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    billyman

    not sure, but I do know you
    not sure, but I do know you have to have safety stuff in the boot, hi vis clothing, etc, make sure you check that out

    July 2, 2013 at 7:57 pm #745725
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    Hector Ch

    With such a large car, and
    With such a large car, and the threat of theft off the back of the car in France, why not put the inside using something like this?

    http://www.hubachercycles.ch/gripsrack/

    July 2, 2013 at 4:17 pm #745723
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    chiv30

    Well my brother and I
    Well my brother and I traveled from s Wales down to Alpe d’huez last year then to Paris with no numberplate showing or an electrics board and not a single gendarme batted an eyelid ….or a UK copper …go figure :O

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