Observation on road safety in Ile de France: it is becoming dangerous to ride a motorcycle.

Being a motorcycle guide is first and foremost an activity driven by passion. A passion for motorcycles, but also for travel, which we love to share. Also involved in road safety and prevention, we train road users in safe driving practices.

Considering the number of kilometers we travel each year, we are finding that traffic conditions are deteriorating more and more rapidly.

Dangerous behaviors, which are sometimes deliberate...

Even today, we were victims of dangerous behavior. While driving on a departmental road in Seine-et-Marne, we narrowly avoided a serious accident, just seconds apart.

The first incident occurred while we were riding along a straight stretch of road with excellent visibility. A truck coming from the opposite direction deliberately decided to overtake two cyclists just as we were about to pass each other. Once in our lane, the driver flashed his headlights and honked his horn to make it clear we had no business being in front of him. We narrowly avoided him by hastily swerving to the riverbank and onto the shoulder at a speed of 80 km/h...

Two hundred meters further on, a driver pulled out of a rest area and entered the opposite lane from where we were traveling. Instead of using the designated lane, he didn't turn sharply enough and continued his maneuver into our lane, directly in front of us, still traveling at 80 km/h. Once again, we narrowly avoided him thanks to an evasive maneuver. Without our experience and training, we wouldn't have been able to avoid a head-on collision.

Besides these two facts, we are of course keeping silent about the numerous violations of the Highway Code and the dangerous, even hateful, behavior of certain users that we have suffered today.

We're posting this article because this kind of behavior, while not new, is becoming increasingly common. It's not unusual for some of us to experience anxiety before getting behind the wheel.

With the arrival of warmer weather, it's normal to see cyclists and motorcyclists on the roads, as well as walkers near the roadside. Talking with them, their observation is unanimous: they all tell us that on the roads they've been using, sometimes for several years, the behavior of some users is getting worse. Worse still, it's a lack of respect for the rules and a lack of consideration for others that they criticize, not a lack of competence (although, we agree, sometimes it's the other way around, which is just as frightening!).

Lack of concentration, excessive egocentrism, or simply apathy?

It's clear that mobile phone use is frequent, and we often expect drivers to make a mistake while using their phones. But unfortunately, we've learned to anticipate this (at least in most cases).

The behavior we most often observe is that of vehicles traveling below the speed limit. While not breaking any rules (unless otherwise indicated by signs), this behavior breeds resentment towards drivers who wish to drive faster.

The latter will then take all the risks to overtake the first. The accumulated anger rarely subsides until the road offender turns off the ignition of his vehicle, or when he is stopped by the police.

Another increasingly common behavior is also noticeable: the anger or hatred of some road users. Those who hate motorcyclists, cyclists, heavy vehicles, women, men, or even squirrels and dolphins...

Among Girl Guides, gender mixing is the norm. Female Guides are often subjected to indecent stares and insulting remarks. Some men even try to intimidate them by driving dangerously.

We also note that the motorcycles on which our female Guides carry out their missions are more frequently vandalized.

Is the road a reflection of our society in the making?

For us, it is clear that the situation is worrying. The frequency and intensity of these dangerous behaviors are increasing significantly year after year.

As motorcycle guides, we provide road users with training in both first aid and safe riding techniques. This training is essential for navigating the road and its dangers.

But how can we combat incivility, hatred, and the denial of others? Those who refuse to respect the rules simply don't show up for training...

Whatever your vehicle, be extra vigilant; only together can we make our roads safer.

See you soon,

The Guides team!