For the past couple of weeks, the national rail and public transport operators have been on strike, paralysing the French capital city’s transportation network and creating chaotic situations. Most of the city’s metro lines have been shut, inciting some commuters to give cycling a go. The bike sharing scheme Vélib has proved incredibly popular during the strike but it is also noticeable that many bicycle users choose their own bicycle, sometimes after a quick check-up at their overcrowded local bicycle shop. Bicycles sales have skyrocketed in both bicycle stores and online second-hand websites, where unused bicycles were given a second life!
Figures from the City of Paris show a large increase in the use of the bicycle, they at least doubled, especially on recently built infrastructure where bicycle traffic is measured daily. Indeed, the famous Rivoli street, recently equipped with a bidirectional cycle track was reported “congested with cyclists” who even had to queue at the traffic lights. At destination, bicycle users had difficulties finding a place to park their bike as every single pole or fence where used.
This growing interest towards the bicycle as an alternative to the metropolitan rail (RER), the métro, the bus or even the light rail is a positive sign showing the readiness of Parisians to cycle for transportation even if these past weeks many had no other choice. The improvement in cycling infrastructure significantly helped inhabitants riding and going through Paris efficiently.
The Parisians who switched from public transport or car to the bicycle have had the opportunity to realise how doable their commute actually is on a bike. Let’s hope these new mobility habits will sustain after the strike is over!
The bicycle has proved itself a trusty and resilient tool in case of a public transport shutdown. Some Parisians have discovered a new way to commute through their city, to explore it and to enjoy it at human speed. Next municipal elections will take place in March, the bicycle as a daily mode of transportation has been back into discussions, legislations and investments and hopefully these new bicycle enthusiasts will join the movement of encouraging candidates to consider cycling mobility as a priority for our cities. .
Thank you to Thibaud Daguet, a daily bicycle enthusiast, for the pictures
