Cherbourg and Saint-Hilaire-du-Harcouët are among the Normandy towns to have adopted a new set of rules allowing cyclists to travel the wrong way up one-way streets in 30kph zones.

New signs and road markings have been introduced to warn drivers of the changes.

The new rules apply nationwide, but individual mairies have the option not to follow the initiative if they consider it too dangerous.

An extra line should appear underneath no-entry signs reading: “Sauf vélos” (except bikes) in allowed areas.