Definition of scooter interfile
It's a practice that's the talk of the town, and the subject of much debate among road users. But what exactly is it?
Imagine yourself at the handlebars of your trusty two-wheeled steed, stuck in an urban traffic jam. Interfiling is a technique that allows you to weave in and out of queues of cars to make faster headway. A real breath of fresh air for scooterists in a hurry!
In concrete terms, interline traffic consists of riding between two lanes of vehicles in the same direction of travel, generally on lanes with separate carriageways. It's a common practice in many large cities, where traffic is often dense and two-wheelers seek to optimize their journey time.
However, scooter interfile is not a simple game of skill. It's a maneuver that requires great vigilance and compliance with precise rules to guarantee the safety of all road users. The FFMC (Fédération Française des Motards en Colère - French Federation of Angry Motorcyclists) has long been campaigning for the recognition and supervision of this practice, well aware of its importance for two-wheeler riders.
Legal status of scooter interlacing
Current legislation
So, what does the law say about scooter intermingling? This is where things get a little tricky. At present, the Highway Code neither explicitly authorizes nor formally prohibits scooter intermingling. We're in a legal gray area, which leaves plenty of room for interpretation.
But don't be too quick to rejoice! The absence of a formal prohibition does not mean that you can interline as you please. In fact, certain articles of the Highway Code can be invoked to penalize this practice if it is deemed dangerous or not in compliance with traffic regulations.
Experimentation underway
In view of this legal uncertainty and the road safety issues at stake, the authorities have decided to launch an experiment in scooter interfile. This initiative, supported by the French Road Safety Delegation (DSR), aims to supervise and evaluate this practice in real-life conditions.
The experiment, initially launched in 2016 in 11 départements, has been extended to 21 départements in 2021. It will enable valuable data to be collected on user behavior and the impact of interleaving on road safety.
Departments concerned
Perhaps you're wondering whether your department is part of the experiment? Here's the list of areas where scooter interleaving is currently authorized as part of the study:
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Bouches-du-Rhône (13)
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Haute-Garonne (31)
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Gironde (33)
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Hérault (34)
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Isère (38)
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Loire-Atlantique (44)
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Nord (59)
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Rhône (69)
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Var (83)
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Vaucluse (84)
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Île-de-France (75, 77, 78, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95)
If you live in one of these départements, you're lucky enough to be able to legally interline, provided, of course, that you comply with the rules laid down as part of the experiment.
Interfile traffic rules
Speed limits
Now that we've clarified the legal framework, let's take a look at the rules to be observed when interleaving on a scooter. The first golden rule concerns speed. In the experimental zones, speed is limited to 50 km/h when riding between scooters. This is a limit not to be exceeded, even if traffic seems to be flowing smoothly.
Interestingly, compliance with this limit has improved over time. In 2015, only 23% of two-wheelers respected the 50 km/h limit on the experimental network. By 2018, this figure had risen to 40%, showing a gradual increase in driver awareness.
Permitted traffic zones
Interfiling is not permitted everywhere. It is mainly tolerated on freeways and roads with at least two lanes in each direction, separated by a central reservation. In town, the practice is more delicate and often inadvisable due to the complexity of urban traffic.
How to behave
There are a few common-sense rules to follow if you want to drive safely in the middle of traffic:
- Remain vigilant at all times, as other road users may change lanes at any moment.
- Keep a safe distance from vehicles in front.
- Signal your intentions with your turn signals.
- Avoid sudden movements, and keep your driving smooth and predictable.
- Wear visible protective equipment so you can be easily spotted.
Penalties for non-compliance
Fines incurred
Warning: if you don't respect the rules of the scooter lane, you may be liable to penalties. Outside of the experimental zones, the practice of interleaving may be considered an infringement of the Highway Code. Offenders are liable to a fine of 135 euros.
Loss of driving licence points
In addition to the fine, non-compliant lane-splitting can result in the loss of 3 points from your driving license. This is an important reminder of the responsibility that falls to two-wheeler drivers when they choose to interline.
Interfiling benefits and risks
Traffic flow
One of the main arguments in favor of legalizing scooter interlacing is its positive impact on traffic flow. By allowing two-wheelers to keep moving when cars are at a standstill or moving at a snail's pace, we reduce the number of immobilized vehicles and improve overall traffic flow.
Traffic flow also has a positive environmental impact. By reducing the time spent in traffic jams, we cut CO2 emissions linked to stationary vehicles. This is a powerful argument in the current context of the fight against climate change.
Road safety
The question of safety is at the heart of the debate on scooter interfile. The figures from the experiment conducted between 2015 and 2018 are revealing. There were 1,650 light accidents, 161 serious accidents and 16 fatal accidents involving two-wheelers riding in the inter-mile in the experimental zones.
These figures may seem alarming, but it's important to put them into perspective. Of the 16 fatal accidents, not a single driver was complying with the rules of the experiment, in particular the 50 km/h speed limit. This underlines the importance of respecting the rules to ensure everyone's safety.
Future prospects
Possibility of legalization
The future of scooter interlining in France remains uncertain, but the outlook seems rather positive. The current experiment is providing valuable data that will enable the authorities to make an informed decision on whether to legalize the practice.
The FFMC continues to campaign actively for the recognition of inter-row traffic, highlighting its advantages in terms of traffic flow and emissions reduction. If the results of the experiment are conclusive, we could see a gradual legalization of the practice in the years to come.
Potential changes to the law
In the event of legalization, we can expect to see changes to the Highway Code to provide a more precise framework for this practice. This could include specific rules on authorized speeds, zones of use, and perhaps even compulsory training for two-wheeler drivers.
The challenge will be to strike the right balance between scooterists' freedom of movement and the safety of all road users. One thing's for sure: the debate on scooter interchanges is not about to end!
Scooter tailgating: an evolving debate
Scooter tailgating remains a hot topic in the world of road safety. Between traffic fluidity and safety concerns, the practice is still divisive. However, the experiment underway in 21 French départements is opening up new perspectives. It offers us a glimpse of a future in which inter-vehicle traffic could be regulated and made safe.
Whether you're for or against it, one thing is certain: the law on two-wheeled interchanges is changing. The current rules, though temporary, already demonstrate the importance of responsible driving. Speed limits, authorized zones, behaviors to adopt: these are the keys to safer riding.
