© Unsplash/Dovile Ramoskaite
Forget everything you know about the little triangular signs in France that allow cyclists to go through a red light. The Germans have opted for a radically different approach: a black sign with a bicycle and a green arrow that gives cyclists carte blanche to go in the direction indicated, regardless of the color of the light. A freedom that of course comes with a call to be vigilant.
© Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen
But the real novelty is this round sign with a red outline that makes the motorists: a red car frozen behind a black bicycle and scooter. It means: strict prohibition on overtaking two-wheelers. A measure that does not yet exist in France, except on an experimental basis, but which could well appear.
© Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen
Germany, road safety model?
In addition to these measures, Germany has also completely changed the rules to promote carpooling and car sharing. Imagine driving on a bus lane, completely legally! It's possible in our German neighbours, provided you have enough passengers on board. A sign showing a car with three occupants gives you this precious sesame.
On the car-sharing side, special parking areas have been set up, indicated by an original sign showing four silhouettes and a car cut in two. To spot these shared vehicles, nothing could be simpler: they proudly display a blue “car-sharing” sticker on their windshield.
While Germany is multiplying initiatives to promote alternative mobility, France still seems to be feeling its way. Of course, car-sharing lanes are starting to appear on our highways and perhaps soon on the Paris ring road. But on the car-sharing side, it's more of a cold shower: after the extinction of Autolib and the withdrawal of Zity, only a few diehards like Free2move are still holding their ground in the capital. But until when ?
- Germany is innovating with signs allowing cyclists to cross certain traffic lights and prohibiting cars from overtaking two-wheelers
- Carpooling vehicles can use bus lanes under certain conditions
- Car sharing benefits from reserved parking spaces and clear identification with a blue sticker
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