Versailles in the lead, Paris in retreat, the Val d’Oise donkey cap of the new barometer
The Federation of Bicycle Users, the FUB, unveils this Thursday, February 10 the results of the third edition of its barometer of cycling cities for the year 2021. In Île-de-France, more than 55,000 respondents rated their region. If Paris is slipping and some cities remain black holes for cycling, many municipalities in the inner and outer suburbs are making great progress.
In Paris, we want action
In the capital, more than 9,200 respondents noted the cycling nature of the city but Paris, as in 2019, the mention D, synonymous with a moderately favorable climate for cycling. The promises are beautiful but the actions are slow to follow seem to say the respondents to the survey. Paris must intensify its efforts to support the development of cycling and make Paris “a 100% cycling city” – an objective set by Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris, and her deputy David Belliard. In a context of an unprecedented increase in bicycle travel in the capital (+ 67% in 2020), 50 km of coronapists have emerged following the health crisis.
The very demanding large crown
But the desire for cycling goes beyond the borders of the capital. The breakthrough is striking in the departments of the outer suburbs given the number of respondents to the FUB questionnaire. A demand still little followed by supply even if certain territories are showing the way. All the cities which, like Montreuil, Pantin, Levallois, Clichy, Vincennes and Versailles installed coronapists during the health crisis are rewarded by the barometer.
Versailles is thus the municipality of Ile-de-France best ranked at the national level in the category of cities with more than 20,000 inhabitants.. A continuity award for the municipality already known for its cycling policy in recent years.
Montreuil, the fastest growing city in Île-de-France
Also on the top of the podium in this ranking (first cycling city in Seine-Saint-Denis), Montreuil proves that efforts pay off and are noticed by users. The city is also considered as the one that has deteriorated the most in two years in Île-de-France thanks to the construction many trails, work on the overall traffic plan in the neighborhoods and the deployment of bicycle parking. The Montreuil cycling plan, “it’s already seven kilometers of transitional facilities that have been made and will be made permanent, but beyond that, there are self-repair workshops, public pumps, bicycle parking that is developing”, lists Olivier Stern, deputy mayor in charge of transport. UN “voluntarism” mentioned by François Beix, co-president of the local branch of the Paris en Selle association. “These great efforts that have been made, the cyclists of Montreuil see them!”. A few black spots remain. Anarchic parking on cycle paths, some “holes” in the routes. “We also still have a lot of testimonies of “families who do not yet dare to cycle with their children”, note the association. To reassure them, the city is launching a “know how to ride a bike” plan in schools. On the same model as swimming lessons for all children in elementary school.
In Bures-sur-Yvette, all you need is a little paint
However, you should not ask to mount coronapists and remove traffic lanes to promote a cycling climate in a municipality. In Essonne, Bures-sur-Yvette takes first place on the podium thanks to a few modest and simple measures to put in place: the passage of the city to 30 km/h and the generalization of two-way streets for cycling.
“Two years ago, there was not much for bikes in Bures-sur-Yvette”, remembers Marie Gallois, head of the local branch of the association Better moving by bicycle. Barely “a few signs here and there”. Then the mayor, Jean-François Vigier had the click and launched a bicycle plan. “It was the start and it changed everything“recognize the cyclist.
“It was by observing that there were more and more bikes in the municipality, by seeing my constituents cycling for their leisure that I began to see the need to adapt”says the elected UDI at the head of the town hall since 2008. He then launches public meetings and surprise, they attract well beyond the regulars. “I saw many bike-workers arrive who know the network and its black spots very well. We therefore took advantage of their expertise to draw up the facts and then look for solutions.”
Solutions “all beasts” to begin with. No question of upsetting the whole traffic plan of the city but at the end of 2019 Jean-François Vigier decides “to pass Bures in the 30 km/h zone” and to generalize contraflow cycling. “This new sharing of public space has made motorists aware that they are no longer masters of the road.” A new philosophy that suffices. “He took a decision that few mayors had taken before him, a low-cost measure that offers cyclists a lot of possibilities”, rejoices Marie Gallois again. Specifically, for example, these two-way traffic secure bicycles arriving in front of the doors of parked cars, it is much less dangerous. They Also avoid big detours and in particular passing through two very busy roundabouts.
Proof that a little paint is enough. And of will and common sense, nuance Jean-François Vigier. “I tell the mayors ‘we have to go, we have to do this work‘But the associations must also be patient,’ warns the mayor. “This new sharing of public space is scary. Motorists are scared, but also pedestrians, so you have to take the time to explain and convince.” From the old too, the future generation of drivers and cyclists. In Bures-sur-Yvette, all students benefit from training in good cycling habits.
Donkey cap for Val d’Oise
Far from these good results, the department of Val d’Oise is very late. The safety and comfort of cyclists are far from sufficient for regular use of the bicycle. In some municipalities, bicycle plans are just beginning to materialize. way too late to Argenteuil, yet the third largest city in Île-de-France behind Paris and Boulogne-Billancourt. It is the lowest ranked city of more than 100,000 inhabitants in the region. But this is explained defended Jean-François Ploteau, the deputy mayor in charge of transport. “At first Argenteuil was built around the use of the car”you can’t go from the reign of the automobile to the little queen in the snap of a finger.
Attached bathroom “the municipal team had to dedicate its first term to cleaning up the city’s finances”recalls the chosen one who took advantage of this time to “concerting and convincing”, two key words for a good bike plan according to him. “There are habits that are difficult to change, if you want it to take, you have to support, communicate. You can’t just be under duress, you also need encouragement, persuasion.”
The recently adopted bicycle plan therefore restarts this year 2022. A major program at 8 million euros (three from the city pocket – the other five in subsidies) to create cycle paths on the main roads, install arches or right-turns at traffic lights.