a complaint against Thomas Pagès and his sponsor Red Bull

Deciphering an illegal and dangerous phenomenon for nature: the dangers of sensationalism
At the end of September, a video was posted on various social networks and on the Red Bull France brand website. We see Thomas Pagès, a French motorcycle pilot, taking on a new sporting challenge: practicing “Ride & Fly”, a variation of speed riding where the motorbike replaces the skis. Wearing a helmet and a vest with the Red Bull logo, Thomas Pagès rides in the mountains on a motorbike, on the heights of Avoriaz in Haute-Savoie, drinks a can of Red Bull, then makes a paragliding jump. He drives his motorbike again following his landing and leaves for the heights (for a new flight?), still in the wilderness and therefore completely illegal.
In order to recount his sporting exploits, Thomas Pagès and Red Bull France posted the video on the brand's website and social networks. Regardless of the fact that this video has several million views and that the media have shared the video, the circulation of motor vehicles outside of roads classified in the public domain has been prohibited since 2000 (article L.362-1 of the Code of environment) in order to ensure the protection of natural spaces. France Nature Environnement (FNE), FNE 74 and Mountain Wilderness have decided to file a complaint against Thomas Pagès and against the company Red Bull France.
Dangerous driving for our natural spaces
By riding his motorcycle in the wilderness, the rider violated the Highway Code and the Environmental Code. Specifically, the latter prohibits driving outside the State road domain. If there is no road, it is simply forbidden to drive a motorized vehicle which can damage natural environments.
Thomas Pagès is not his first attempt. Several videos from 2021 and 2022 show him driving through natural spaces. Seeking to make “spectacular” videos, the pilot traveled through the Natura 2000 zone of Haut Giffre, a protected area to preserve habitats and species representative of European biodiversity.
Red Bull guilty of deceptive marketing practices?
If driving off roads intended for vehicle traffic is prohibited, publishing such exploits is just as illegal. The Environmental Code provides that it is prohibited to advertise a vehicle in a situation of violation, so as not to suggest that this is legal. The Red Bull France company broadcast this video for advertising purposes for its products, with the logo and brand name appearing numerous times during the video. There is a desire to advertise products through this video. Thomas Pagès and the company Red Bull France could thus be prosecuted for deceptive commercial practices.

All of these behaviors, disregarding the preservation of natural spaces and to the detriment of respectful outdoor practices, fully justify the complaint filed by FNE, FNE 74 and Mountain Wilderness… To be continued!