4.5% of those killed on the road in 2013 were cyclists according to the Prévention Routière association. This fatal statistic dropped by 10.4% in one year, thanks in particular to the prevention campaigns on bicycle safety. On the road, the safety of cyclists is often a history of equipment and rules to respect.

Compulsory equipment for bicycles and cyclists

From a strictly legal point of view, all bicycles must be equipped with the following safety elements:
- a yellow or white light at the front ,
- a red light at the back ,
- a reflector reflecting yellow or white at the front ,
- a red reflex reflector at the rear ,
- an orange reflecting reflector on the side ,
- a bell in working order,
- and 2 separate brakes in working order, one front and one behind .
All bicycles sold commercially must be approved and equipped with all these elements. Otherwise, the user of the bike risks a fine and even loss of points on his driver's license if he holds.

Cyclists them, are required to wear a fluorescent yellow vest open road when it is night or that there is a bad light. On winding country roads in particular.

Non-compulsory but strongly recommended cycling equipment

Some items are not mandatory for cyclists but are strongly recommended for safe cycling:

- The helmet is not mandatory but it is strongly advised to wear one at any age. It protects the element of our body most vulnerable to bicycle, namely the head . It is approved to European or French standards.

- As soon as night falls, it is advisable to wear reflective clothing , not just on the muddy country roads. Many brands offer much more sexy windbreaker or reflective rain cover than the traditional fluorescent yellow vest.

- To preserve your hands from bicycle falls, it may be worth investing in a pair of gloves or mittens . Although this may prove to be somewhat restrictive for urban cycling.

- Car distance is a device that encourages cars to respect the mandatory gap of one meter when passing a bike. This is a kind of long flexible plastic rod to clip on the bike's upright, near the rear wheel. And equipped with a reflex reflector.

Thanks to Fanch Le Garrec in charge of the Bike Mission to the city of Paris and Camille Torte in charge of the events and partnerships of the specialized brand Alltricks.