We rented the Velo Bleu last time we were in Nice. We kept mainly to the bike paths on the Promenade des Anglais and didn’t really notice the signs other than the ones painted on the path. I started thinking about the other traffic signs for biking in France that are around Nice and wondering what they are.

While there may be more signs than these, I think these might be the six most important signs to a biker new to the area as they journey around Nice.

As far as signs go, there are three regulatory and three informational signs. Regulatory signs are a circle and informational signs are a rectangle.

To me, regulatory means that you are required to do it and could break a law/rule if you don’t. Informational means that you should or can do it. But I’m not completely sure. I spent some time looking up fines for cycling. The only one that seems to be in practice now involves the wearing of a helmet.   

In France only a child under the age of 12 must wear a helmet. This is when they are on the bike alone, or if they are in a bike seat with an adult. If the child is on a bike driven by an adult and the child under 12 does not have a helmet, the adult is at risk of receiving a fine of 135 euros.

If the other fines that were being proposed have been implemented, please let me know.

Regulatory Signs

No cycling: Don’t bike here.

Bicycle lane only: This sign is for bikers as well as everyone else. This lane is for bikes only. No one else allowed.

End of bicycle lane only: This means that the bike-only lane is ending.

Informational signs

Contra-flow lane: This is the most confusing of the signs for biking. This is used on one-way roads. Cars will be coming towards you and there is a bike lane on the side that goes against traffic. Helpful to shorten a bike route when a one way is the shortest route.

Cycle route: Sharing the road with cars and others.

End of cycle route: End of sharing the road with cars and others.

Are there more signs than these? I would like to know if there are more traffic signs for biking in France. Please feel free to leave a comment. Check out this blog for tips on renting and riding the Velo Bleu.