Police track down recklessness offenses among cyclists in Lille

Carrot and stick. This Wednesday afternoon, many police officers on motorcycles or scooters were mobilized in the city center of Lille to track down the risky behavior of cyclists and other users of scooters. An operation of prevention without verbalization which could have brought big returns to the State so much the number of infringements noted was important.

Shortly after 2 p.m. on Wednesday, a cyclist arrives at the road safety stand, located in Place de la République, escorted by two bikers from the national police. "I burned out a red light," he admits. Instead of the fine of 135 euros (reduced to 90 euros in the event of prompt payment), the police offered to participate in an awareness-raising workshop. "Going red, I do it often, even if I know it's prohibited," added the cyclist. And it is only the first of a very long series.

Red lights, sidewalk traffic and earphones

According to a police officer participating in the operation, the trio winning bicycle offenses are: red lights, sidewalk traffic and earphones. Very common offenses which are however each sanctioned by fixed fines of 135 euros. But if the police actually verbalize these behaviors, it is far from being systematic: "There is so much traffic in Lille that cyclists are clearly not our priority targets", recognizes the biker.

However, it does happen. And when it does, it goes wrong. On July 10, a mother was fined for crossing a red light on her cargo bike with her two children on board. "People stopped to ask us if we did not have better things to do, but this lady did not realize that she was putting her life and those of her children in danger," said the police officer.

In front of my eyes, a dozen motorists' offenses which do not respect cycle paths or bicycle locks. But these two policemen decide to verbalize a mother of a cycling family who would have anticipated the fire ... @LilleAuxVelos @DroitAuVelo @lillefrance pic.twitter.com/LjPbhtjOkG

The officials multiply the interceptions. On the boulevard de la Liberté cycle path, they stop a man who is riding with his son on an electric scooter. "I did not know it was prohibited, but I understand," says the man. “Many people are unaware of the legislation on personal motorized displacement devices (EDPM). Before, there was no real frame and these devices were tolerated. Today, they are listed in the Highway Code and there are rules to follow, such as the obligation to be insured, ”insists a police officer.

In 2020, two cyclists died in Lille

A reality that will be reminded of a young woman of 25 who also rides on an electric scooter. "I was a bad student, I just burned a fire. Sometimes I stop, but there I saw that there was no one there so I went by, ”she concedes. Holder of a driving license, the young woman admits that she does not behave like this in a car. “The fact that bikes and scooters don't have license plates also plays a big part. The users know that they cannot be identified, ”laments an agent.

In the process, four teenagers on bikes are checked after having run a red light: "This is the second time today that we have given you a gift, there will be no third," warns a police biker. "We were talking, we were not careful," tries to defend one of the young people who are amused by the situation. A fun that the policeman does not share and that pushes him to go up the suspenders of the teenager. In 2020, two cyclists died in Lille, including one recently, run over by a truck.

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• Road safety
• Cyclist
• Police
• Bike
• Lille