Was cycling one of those small access roads that straddle the very large main roads. There was a wall between that and the main road. A police van and fire engine were blocking the road, and it was cordoned off with tape. I went on the pavement, very slowly, walking pace. But the municipal police stopped me and asked for my passport. I didnt know what was going on so I just gave it to them, I should have said I dont have it with me. So they fined me. I dont really know the rules in paris, I asked them but they didnt explain them to me. My travel companion did the exact same thing as me, but wasnt fined. I feel like it was entrapment a little bit. Also, it took a while, so I smoked a cigarette, knowing this policeman was an arse I knew better than to toss the butt on the floor. But I had to put the thing out on the floor rather than my own bare skin, and the bastard tried to fine me for that even as a was putting the butt in mp pannier pocket.
I have a really long and complicated address through living in a tower block in london, and the guy seemed to struggle with logging it and it seemed like he eventually gave up on his third attempt to write it, as I spelled it very fast trying to blur as much detail in my accent, he said I have your name thats enough. So hopefully I dont even receive the fine. But I think I am considering not paying it, since im not french, and that guy was an arsehole.
Has anyone been fined in france? is it the kind of thing that will make it difficult to come back here if I dont pay it?
In London you're not allowed to ride on the pavement, either. In fact London cyclists have a reputation for not obeying the rules.
It doesn't matter what speed you're going, you're supposed to dismount to go on the pavement.
This is true, but london police follow a culture of educate first before punishment. They give a friendly reminder to dismount first. And when the road is blocked for 20 feet it is easy to not even think to dismount.
That response strongly implies you already knew to dismount.
So you're not really asking for the cop to educate you then?
Yes I generally know to dismount, but being in a new busy city trying to navigate and things at the end of a 7 hour day riding these things are easily overlooked in a moment where you make split decision without really thinking about it
All I'm reading here is that London police have allowed you to get away with breaking the law, and you're expecting other countries to do the same.