A five-year French experiment that was designed to ease traffic and reduce accidents involving motorbikes and scooters has been ended with ‘disappointing’ results: Accidents went up 12% on the roads in the trial area.
In four metro areas, the two-wheelers were given permission to ride between lanes of traffic where there was space; certain types of three-wheel vehicles were also allowed.
The test was limited to roads with a center median, at least two lanes in each direction, and a speed limit of at least 70km/h (about 45 mph) in areas around Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Bordeaux.
Elsewhere, the practice remained illegal; now that the exemption has been revoked, it is illegal countrywide—and also very common countrywide.
