Free highways for bikers during the Bol d’Or

If you’re a biker, you’ve probably heard of the Bol d’Or at least once. A 24-hour motorcycle race currently taking place on the Castellet circuit (Var). The next edition is scheduled for this weekend, from September 15 to 17.

In addition to the action on the track, this event is above all an opportunity for bikers from France and beyond to get together. It is indeed a major event, like the 24 Hours of Le Mans. So much so that on this occasion, as for the Le Mans event, sections of certain highways will be made free to bikers.

Thus, the French Federation of Angry Bikers (FFMC) organizes, in partnership with the Compagnie Eiffage du Viaduc de Millau and the Vinci group on certain portions of the ASF and Escota networks, free. This concerns motorized two and three-wheelers, category 5 for tolls. A short respite, while a future tax on motorways could increase the price for users.

Sections of highways free for bikers during the Bol d’Or

In detail, this free service will be in place from Friday September 15 at 7 a.m. to Saturday September 16 at 6 p.m. in the Allers direction. It will begin on Sunday September 17 at noon, until midnight in the direction of Returns. Here are the details of the free sections, also available on the FFMC website :

Direction of Directions (from Friday September 15 at 7 a.m. to Saturday September 16, 2023 6 p.m.) :

For the ASF network:
A7 from Vienne to Lançon de Provence.
A54/A7, from Saint-Martin de Crau to Lançon de Provence.
A9/A54 from Perthus to Arles, including from A75 Béziers-Cabrials and from A9 Baillargues.
A61/A9/A54 from Toulouse Sud to Arles, including from A66 Pamiers.

For the Escota network:
A8/A52 from La Barque to Pont de l’Étoile.
A8/A52 from Capitou to Pont de l’Etoile.
A51 from La Saulce to Meyrargues
A50, crossing at the Bandol and La Ciotat barriers (open system).
A8/A57 from Capitou to Puget-Ville.
A8, crossing at the La Turbie, Nice Saint Isidore and Antibes barriers (open system).

Direction of Returns:

Millau Viaduct : direction / south north from Sunday September 17 10:00 a.m. to Monday September 18 10:00 a.m.

From Sunday September 17, 2023 from 12 p.m. to midnight :

For the ASF network:
A7 from Lançon de Provence to Vienne.
A7/A54 from Lançon de Provence to Saint Martin de Crau.
A54/A9 from Arles to Perthus, including A75 Béziers-Cabrials and A9 Baillargues.
A54/A9/A61, from Arles to Toulouse Sud, including up to A66 Pamiers.

For the Escota network:
A52/A8 from Pont de l’Étoile to La Barque.
A52/A8 from Pont de l’Etoile to Capitou.
A51 from Meyrargues to La Saulce.
A50 from Bandol and La Ciotat (open system).
A57/A8 from Puget-Ville to Capitou.
A8, crossing at the La Turbie, Nice Saint Isidore and Antibes barriers (open system).

Relays organized for user safety

This decision was made in particular because the motorway network is the safest for motorcyclists. It is in fact five times safer for users than the rest of the road network. This also makes it easier to pass through toll gates.

Still with the aim of guaranteeing the safety of users, “Relais Calmos” will be set up by the FFMC. There will be eight of them. They will allow you to take a break and carry out various technical operations (chain lubrication, tire pressure and checking, etc.). The list of these is available on the FFMC website.

Also read on Auto-Moto.com:

To sum up

From September 15 to 17, sections of highway will be made free for bikers during the Bol d’Or. Relays will also be set up by the French Federation of Angry Bikers (FFMC) to ensure the safety of users.

Editor