Etiquette for French cycle paths

[DaveP]

I'm ok with the courteous and considerate stuff.
But is there an established practice of keeping oncoming cyclists to your left?

Its never really bothered me up to now, but most of my cycle path use to date has either been on pretty quiet routes or on towpaths, where so many people display an aversion to taking the "wet" side regardless of any convention that I've learnt to just look for early signs of a preference and then go for the other side.
This summer though, we might encounter more "traffic", without a water feature, and on a less nimble bike, so I'm doing my research!

[jamesgilbert]

I'm not sure I understand the question... surely in any country cyclists will naturally be on the same side of cycle paths as cars are on the roads?

So in France, it is indeed on the right, unless as you say there is a good reason for avoiding that side that would overrule people's automatic tendencies!

[robgul]

IIRC - as an example: the (50 or 60 mile) dedicated cycle route along an old railway line N of Macon has signs to keep to the right (i.e. same protocol as the road) - that particular route also has signs that instruct pedestrians to walk on the grass verge rather than the tarmac ... leaving that for cyclists and rollerbladers

Rob

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
It should happen that way that you pass the same way as the road.
Why would you pass on a different side to the road in that country
I have had oncoming cyclist and motorcyclist and cars pass me on my left (inside) in the UK
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=94184

[DaveP]

Well "Keep Right" would be my expectation too, even though the converse often seems to be irrelevant in the UK.
I apologise for expressing myself poorly. I'd have done better to ask for insights into how the French conduct themselves on these paths, especially holiday makers on hired bikes. More "law abiding" than UK equivalents, or not?

[robgul]

Well "Keep Right" would be my expectation too, even though the converse often seems to be irrelevant in the UK.
I apologise for expressing myself poorly. I'd have done better to ask for insights into how the French conduct themselves on these paths, especially holiday makers on hired bikes. More "law abiding" than UK equivalents, or not?

IME almost all French people when on bikes behave like perfect gentlemen (and women) .... and when they're driving they're just as considerate towards velo riders

Rob