Véloroutes / Green ways

A green way

is “a road reserved exclusively for non-motorised vehicle traffic, pedestrians and horse-riders” (Highway Code). It is accessible to all, without any particular physical demands. Pedestrians, cyclists, persons of reduced mobility, roller-skaters… can use it for recreation, tourism or their daily travel.
Green ways are exclusive ways using disused former railway lines, the banks of waterways, forest tracks, country trails etc...

Source : www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr

En vélo à Blois © J. Damase

Low-traffic roads:

roads with traffic of under 500 vehicles/day
No-thoroughfare roads: roads accessible to local inhabitants and cycles but not to through traffic (devices installed to prevent through traffic on these quiet routes)

Cyclistes à Tours, au quartier des Deux Lions © E. Mangeat

Cycle lanes:

• Defined by the Highway Code,
• Official guidelines:1.5m wide for each direction of traffic,
• Lanes are identified by markings directly on the ground,
• Exclusively reserved for cyclists,
• Tend to be used in urban environments

  Cycle Paths:

• They are defined by the French Highway Code as one-way or two-way lanes that are separate from the roadway and are reserved exclusively for cyclists, 
• Depending on the signposting adopted, it may or may not be mandatory for cyclists to use them.