A very important squeeze is coming from the French capital. Also hit the two wheels
April 13, 2023
If organizing a trip to Paris by motorbike is in your plans, from 2024 you will have to be especially careful to the year of registration and the emission standards of your two-wheeler.
In confirming the effective implementation of the limited traffic zone Zez (Zero emissions zone) from 1 January 2024, the mayor of Paris Anne Hidalgo detailed the steps that will precede the blocking of access to the French capital, significantly influencing the circulation of vehicles for tourists and residents.
The next important date in the French capital’s sustainability calendar it’s July 1st. With the beginning of summer, the so-called Phase 5 will start which will prohibit access, from Monday to Friday from 8 to 20, to cars and other light vehicles with a Crit’Air sticker (the environmental sticker used in Paris for road vehicles) of no less than 2 and Euro 5 approval for diesels registered after January 2011. Restrictions also for petrol vehicles, which must be at least Euro 4 and registered after January 1, 2006. The bans don’t end there, two-wheelers are also affected given that the motorcycles that will be able to circulate on Parisian roads must be at least Euro 3 and necessarily registered after 1 January 2007.
What about public transport?
Mandatory Crit’Air vignette 2 also applies to heavy vehicles and buses, who, however, will not enjoy the stop at checks on Saturdays and Sundays. If diesel, these vehicles must have been registered after 1 January 2014, otherwise circulation will not be permitted. These limitations will be eased for petrol or gas models, which may be Euro 5 and registered after 1 October 2009.
After the summer tightening of the rules, 1 January 2024 will be the ultimatum for diesel vehicles: regardless of weekdays, times and vehicle type, all diesels will be banned. Heavy vehicles and buses will be allowed to circulate only if marked with a Crit’Air 1 vignette. The same fate for cars and vans, which will only be able to circulate if with a Crit’Air 1 vignette as well as having to be registered after January 1, 2011 and homologated at least 5 euros.
And our bikes?
From 1 January 2024 motorcycles will be able to circulate freely – like cars and vans – on public holidays and between 8pm and 8am on weekdays. On the days and times in which the Zero Emission Zone is active to circulate they must have a minimum Euro 4 classification, and be registered after 1 January 2007 for motorbikes and after 1 January 2018 for mopeds.