Quad bikes

[boisdevie]

They seem very popular here in the Pas de Calais. People blasting down muddy lanes on huge 4x4s with top boxes (presumably for their picnic). Are they increasingly popular elsewhere in France?

[jillm]

My kids have one each, dont think they are popular tho as i think they are expensive for the french to buy and they dont spend that kind of money on their children, i think its probably an English thing. lol. As we treat our kids.

[opalette]

Horrible things. As BoisdeVie says, there are loads in the Pas de Calais (though I thnk that most of them are hired for a day or weekend rather than owned). I'm hoping that the opening of the hunting season will put them off for a while.......

[SaligoBay]

There are quite a few about down here in 34, it's not just les anglais. Places hire them out too.

[Roadrat]

That's an interesting argument, embrace the hunters to put off quads

Unfortunately quads have taken off in France, to the extent that legislation is in the pipeline that will potentially close the 'chemins' to all forms of transport including bizarrely horses but not VTT's or walkers and of course the 'chasse' will be immune.

From most peoples perpective I'm part of the problem, with a 'stable' of quads and off road motorcycles. The problem though with quads is the ease of access to anyone, for most of whom it's a Fad; no form of test is required, just a car license, despite the facts quads can be harder to control and are potentially more dangerous than motorcycles both on and off road.

At least in France they are encouraging dedicated off road riding centres and the like rather than in the UK were they just sneaked through legislation to ban everyone and are also using Agricultural subsidy legislation to try and close off roading centres.

[Roadrat]

[Di-C]

[opalette]

My horse is terrified of the quads, particularly when they come rushing up from behind on narrow paths and then rev up until they can get past. I don't think the drivers have had any lessons, either on controlling the things or basic road manners.......

[vida]

Quads also very popular here in dept. 33 and all the owners are French children.

[Roadrat]

[Lisleoise]

[jillm]

My kids have had motorbikes and quads for years, so we dont just let them out on them unless they have the helmet, body protector boots and riding pants and tops. They have no gone up to the 110cc quads and they are 9 and 11. They also have the motorbikes which are 80cc but the oldest will be going up a level soon.

I too think the french as with regards with horses are totally different to uk. They dont have any animal sense i would say where as in Uk they pass wide and dont rev the back side out of their vehicle if your on a chemin the tractors dont stop you end up in the field waiting for them to pass so you dont get hurt. I think it is a joke, you would think with them having sheep and cows they would realise this and drive safer.

[opalette]

[chuffed]

Quads with topboxes around here are only seen this time of year, it's the mushroom season

_________________
Now, if I can only unforget where I left my mind ....

[Tricia]

There's an interesting discussion of a related topic - Greenlaning - in the Leisure and Relaxation forum, last posting in Feb 2006. We live on a pilgrim route and vehicles are supposed to be banned, apart from agricultural, but we still get motor bikes and quad bikes occasionally. T.