New rule coming into effect in 2025 will drive motorcyclists and scooter riders crazy

© Unsplash/Nabeel Syed

The announcement came as a hammer blow to drivers of motorized two-wheelers: as of January 1, 2025, no more jumping up and down lines of cars in traffic jams. This practice, officially tested for over three years in many French departments, will become completely illegal again. A real step backwards that risks provoking the anger of motorcyclists and scooter riders, who have long been accustomed to this mobility solution.

An experiment that ends abruptly

The story begins on August 2, 2021. Road Safety is launching a major experiment in 21 French departments, including the entire Île-de-France region and several large cities such as Lyon, Marseille and Bordeaux. The objective? To temporarily regulate and legalize inter-file traffic, the practice of going up between stationary or idling cars. Initially scheduled to run until August 1, 2024, the experiment has been extended several times, first until September 15, then until December 31, 2024.

For more than three years, motorcyclists in these departments were able to legally ride between lines of cars on motorways and dual carriageways separated by a central reservation. This authorization only concerned the leftmost lane, with strict rules to guarantee the safety of all users. This period allowed millions of two-wheeler drivers to save precious time in their daily travel, particularly in areas with high traffic density.

Severe penalties from January 2025

The return to normal is set to be particularly painful for those who are used to lane-splitting. From January 1, 2025, this practice will once again be considered overtaking on the right in the eyes of the law. Offenders face a hefty fine of 135 euros and the loss of 3 points on their driving licence. Sanctions identical to those applied in Germany and Spain, where lane-splitting is already formally prohibited.

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This situation is reminiscent of the episode of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where motorcyclists have already had a taste of these restrictions. During the summer, lane-splitting was temporarily suspended on the 185 kilometers of lanes reserved for accredited vehicles, already provoking strong reactions in the two-wheel community.

An uncertain future for the practice in France

The end of this experiment does not necessarily mean the definitive end of lane-splitting in France. The Road Safety Authority must provide a full assessment of the experiment in the first months of 2025. This report will be decisive for the future of this practice on French territory. The results will determine whether lane-splitting can be tolerated in the long term and under what conditions.

France could take inspiration from its European neighbors such as Belgium and the Netherlands, where this practice is already authorized and regulated. The majority of two- and three-wheeler drivers strongly support the definitive legalization of lane-splitting, highlighting the considerable time savings, particularly in congested urban areas.

Road Safety could still surprise by extending the experiment once again, as it has already done on several occasions. This decision would be welcomed with relief by the millions of users concerned, who fear the return to total illegality of this practice deeply rooted in their habits.

• Lane-splitting will become completely illegal in France from January 1, 2025
• Offenders risk a fine of 135 euros and the withdrawal of 3 points on their license
• A report on the experiment will be issued in early 2025, which could potentially lead to new regulations

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