Skibiking in France By Richard Platt FISB Representative for the French Speaking Nations

Skibiking in France
By Richard Platt FISB Representative for the French Speaking Nations

The Skibike (veloski/skibob/Snowbike®) has been banned in France for the last 30 years. This was not so much the result of bandit skibobbers (I am sure there were some!) but more because the old fashioned, and extremely ineffective, method of stopping by digging in your heels tore up the pistes.

This was a problem then because the piste machines were not as good or as plentiful as they are now. However, the main reason for the ban was traditional skiers who selfishly wanted to keep the pistes for themselves.

Snowboarding has overwhelmed this introverted view in a way that we were never able to do because of our small numbers. If we carefully use this unique moment of enlightenment to open French eyes to our fantastic sport by being sensitive to their safety concerns now, we can all benefit from increasing access to great snow and mountains in France.

Please consider the following:
Safety on the snow.
The Mayors of several ski resorts have now been convinced that a riderless skibike is inherently unstable on the piste and that it will quickly fall over and stop because the handlebars act like a big ski-stopper as it digs into the snow. This is important because the Mayor is responsible for safety and the law in his domain, and French law says that the rider has to be attached to his bike unless it is fitted with an effective ski-stopper. We have proved this effectiveness in tests with the authorities at Tignes in Feb 2001 and Les Arcs Feb 2002. Please let me know if you are refused access to any ski area in France. Remember if the local law says you cannot use a veloski on the piste then you have no right to be there until the law is changed. I can help change the local law but I will experience difficulties if you have antagonised everyone there.

Safety on the lifts.
If anyone has problems of being allowed on the lifts in France with skibikes please tell me about it. I am leading a charm offensive to have skibiking accepted on the lift systems throughout France. It will take some time and a lot of patience but there is so much fantastic skibiking to be had in France that we are all convinced it is worth it.

Remember that the liftman always has the right to refuse you on his lift - don't hassle him; just back off politely and then tell me about it.
Everyone skibiking in France should be prepared to use a wrist strap on the chairlifts if requested. (A simple cord around the skibike frame and your wrist will do) - it is usually for the liftman's insurance.
If you have a K2 Snowcycle or another bike that doesn’t use footskis you will not be able to use the drag lifts or chairlifts.

As at November 2002 Skibiking is welcome at:
Les Arcs (but not yet at Peisey-Valandry)
La Rosière (but not yet on the Italian side at La Thuile)
Val D’Isere
Les Arcs 2002
Tignes
St Foy Tarentaise

Skibiking is tolerated at:
Courchevel
Méribel
La Plagne
Valmorel (limited)
St Sorlin d’Arves (limited)
La Toussuire
St Jean d’Arves
Le Corbier

As the Representative for the French Speaking Nations for the Fédération Internationale de Skibob (FISB) I am passionately interested in having our sport fully accepted and welcomed throughout France and I have spent the last two winters in the Savoie trying to achieve this. To support this effort and help pay my costs I have formed a company called Skibike Ltd. It is a commercial English company also registered in France which promotes, demonstrates and gives advice to the French Authorities on the sport as well as teaching and qualifying Ski Instructors as Snowbike® Trainers. We also hire out and sell Veloskis and can arrange corporate events and seminars. Skibike Ltd is also a sponsor of the British Skibike Racing Team.

If you experience any of the difficulties mentioned in this article, please notify me or Skibike Ltd directly, as they might be able to help. Please also let me know of any other skibike friendly resorts that you come across that are not listed.

Les Arcs 2002	Ski Club St Foy Tarentaise test the Brenter Snowbike® April 2002