Gleaming motorcycles invaded Avenue Hoche between Porte Dauphine and the Arc de Triomphe, this Saturday noon in Paris.
Motorcyclists have responded in large numbers to the call launched by the branches of the French Federation of Angry Bikers (FFMC) to demand the legalization of interfile traffic, currently in a kind of vagueness, officially prohibited but practiced by all.
"We are expecting more than 8000 bikers today because the weather is good but above all because the stakes are high", proclaims Jean-Marc Belotti, president of the FFMC in Paris.
Since February 1, motorized two-wheeled vehicles have once again been prohibited from performing interfile overtaking.
This traffic consisting of traveling on two-wheelers or motorized three-wheelers between the lines of vehicles stationary or traveling at reduced speed in heavy traffic was indeed authorized on an experimental basis since 2016 in eleven particularly congested French departments, including Paris and its suburbs.
READ ALSO>
Paid parking project for two-wheelers in Paris: pressure from bikers
"It must be legalized at all costs because that means being able to teach it both to motorcyclists but also to motorists", adds the coordinator of the federation of Paris and its inner circle.
"It's less dangerous to stay between two lines of cars than between two cars in the same line because if it hits, you risk getting crushed and that can often happen in Paris", confirms Hervé, who came for the occasion. of the Bièvre Valley (Yvelines).
130 euros fine for offenders
Since the beginning of the month, this traffic has been sanctioned again by a fine of 130 euros and a withdrawal of three points on the driving license.
"I am a professional driver, if I no longer have a license, I no longer have a job," Hervé worries all the more.
Like many demonstrators from the suburbs, the fifty-something uses his motorbike daily to come to work in Paris.
Interfile circulation therefore also offers them significant time savings.
"I drive every day from Val-d'Oise to Montrouge
(Hauts-de-Seine)
for work, I have to take the ring road, the interface is essential, it allows me to take 50 minutes instead of 2 hours ”, testifies Alexis.
"Interfiles is our workplace"
At the head of the roaring procession, which was about to circulate on the ring road from 1 pm, the motorcycle taxis were proudly positioned, seen as the “real pros” of interfile traffic.
“We motorcycle taxis, we are true motorcycle enthusiasts, the motorcycle is our working tool.
Interfiles is our workplace.
Of course, there are guys who rush into the gaps and who moan afterwards because they are cut off from the road… But yeah man, there is a space there that can be occupied by a car, that s' learn all that!
unboxing Jessy at the microphone in front of the thousands of demonstrators.
The biker is useful, he is called to deliver pizzas, parcels, drop people off at Orly!
"
The Federation of Angry Bikers, which works hand in hand with road safety to establish good traffic rules, hopes to raise awareness among members of their cause.
