The announcement came as a massive blow to drivers of motorized two-wheelers: from January 1, 2025, no more backing up lines of cars in traffic jams. This practice, officially tested for more than three years in many French departments, will once again become completely illegal. A real step backwards which risks angering bikers and scooter riders, who have long been accustomed to this mobility solution.
An experiment that ends suddenly
The story begins on August 2, 2021. Road Safety is launching a large-scale experiment in 21 French departments, including the entire Île-de-France and several large metropolises such as Lyon, Marseille or Bordeaux. The objective? Regulate and temporarily legalize cross-line traffic, this practice of moving between cars when they are stationary or idling. Initially scheduled until August 1, 2024, the experiment was extended several times, first until September 15, then until December 31, 2024.
For more than three years, motorcyclists from these departments were able to legally travel between lines of cars on highways and dual carriageways separated by a central reservation. An authorization which only concerned the leftmost lane, with strict rules to guarantee the safety of all users. This period has enabled millions of two-wheeler drivers to save precious time in their daily travels, particularly in areas with high traffic density.
Severe sanctions from January 2025
The return to normal promises to be particularly painful for those used to the interfile. From January 1, 2025, this practice will once again be considered as an overreach by the right in the eyes of the law.. Violators face a hefty fine of 135 euros and the removal of 3 points from their driving license. Sanctions identical to those applied in Germany and Spain, where inter-line circulation is already formally prohibited.
This situation is reminiscent of the episode of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where bikers already had a foretaste of these restrictions. During the summer, inter-lane traffic was temporarily suspended on the 185 kilometers of lanes reserved for accredited vehicles, already causing strong reactions in the two-wheel community.
An uncertain future for the practice in France
The end of this experiment does not necessarily mean the definitive end of inter-line traffic in France. Road Safety must provide a complete assessment of the experiment in the first months of 2025. This report will be decisive for the future of this practice on French territory. The results will determine whether inter-line circulation can be tolerated in the long term and under what conditions.
France could take inspiration from its European neighbors such as Belgium and the Netherlands, where this practice is already authorized and regulated. The majority of two- and three-wheel drivers strongly support the definitive legalization of the interfile, highlighting considerable time savings, particularly in congested urban areas.
Road Safety could still surprise by extending the experiment once again, as it has already done on several occasions. This decision would be welcomed with relief by the millions of users concerned, who fear the return to total illegality of this practice which is deeply rooted in their habits.
- Cross-line traffic becomes completely illegal in France from January 1, 2025
- Violators risk a fine of 135 euros and the removal of 3 points from their license.
- An assessment of the experiment will be delivered at the beginning of 2025, potentially leading to new regulations
