What is cross bitumen and what is the legislation?

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September 3, 2019

What is cross bitumen and what is the legislation?

What is cross bitumen ?

The discipline comes straight from the United States. It was in the 1970s that bitumen cross-country skiing, also called "urban rodeo" developed before conquering French bikers in the 2000s..

This practice of motorcycling consists of perform stunt-inspired figures, like wheeling on a motorcycle, which involves rolling on the rear wheel; stoppie (hard braking from the front to raise the rear wheel) or burn (locking the front brake and strong acceleration to make the rear tire skid and produce smoke).

The wild rodeo differs from the stunt, which is a type of event born in the United States in the 1980s, then broadcast in France, which takes place on circuit, parking lot or closed road. Although competitions exist on the American side, the stunt is not recognized as a sport in France.

While thrill seekers generally indulge in cross bitumen on straight lines that are not taken by other road users, some do it close to homes. And this proximity to local residents often creates tensions.

What motorcycles are used for cross bitumen ?

To achieve these stunts, stunt enthusiasts tend to ride on a roadster or a transformed sports motorcycle, without fairing, with larger crowns, bracelet handlebars, footrests attached to the wheel axle, motorcycle tires. deflated at the rear, a flattened reservoir to sit on, a rear hand brake and additional brake calipers at the rear, etc..

The bitumen cross, it is carried out rather with quads and motocross : generally lighter, with better adapted suspensions, but which are also noisier and more polluting because off-road motorcycles are generally equipped with a two-stroke engine and not four-stroke which are much less noisy and polluting.

Motorcycle rodeos: the fed up with local residents

In built-up areas and in less isolated areas, local residents are the first to complain about noise. Between sudden acceleration and repeated braking, cross bitumen poses undeniable problems of noise and smoke development which are struggling to be legislated since the practice is not regulated.

Indeed, in France, article R318-3 of the Highway Code: specifies that "motor vehicles must not emit noises likely to cause discomfort".

The engine must be fitted with a silent exhaust system in good working order and approved, with no possibility of interruption by the driver.

Any operation tending to eliminate or reduce the efficiency of the silent exhaust system is strictly prohibited. However, the law does not set decibel limits.

But road users also point the finger at risky behavior that two-wheeled aerobatics can cause. Quad or motorcycle pilots not only produce noise pollution but also represent a danger for motorists or local residents..

Slaloms between cars, unauthorized overtaking where blind cornering is indeed commonplace. Especially since caught in a whirlwind of adrenaline, even the most experienced rider no longer necessarily has control of his car or perspective on his driving. This risky driving is a factor in a motorcycle accident that the police are trying to contain.

However, since the law of August 3, 2018, the fight against these motorized rodeos has been the subject of a new legal framework aimed at preventing and repressing these dangerous practices..

"The fact of adopting, by means of a land motor vehicle, behavior intentionally repeating maneuvers constituting violations of safety or caution obligations" provided for by the Highway Code is liable one year’s imprisonment and a fine of € 15,000. The penalties are increased to two years imprisonment and a fine of € 30,000 when the acts are committed in a meeting ".

Fans of stunts can however indulge in their favorite sport on a closed track or on a circuit in complete safety, without disturbing others.

What are the risks of cross bitumen ?

The athlete who engages in bitumen cross generally commits more than one traffic violation. Between risky driving, noise and unlicensed exhaust, fines can add up quickly. But the legal risk is not the only one. The physical risks are not to be taken lightly.

First, these riders rarely adopt the recommended protective motorcycle gear such as approved motorcycle helmets, gloves, coveralls, high shoes or motorcycle boots. The danger for passers-by is not zero either, if the motorcycle for example leaves after a fall.

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