At a time when sustainable development is topical and also to deal with the constant increase in the price of fuel, the government has thought about adopting new, more efficient solutions.
Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne effectively announced on Tuesday September 20 that 250 million euros will be devoted to the development of cycle paths and secure car parks in 2023. According to her, we must move up a gear to encourage the use of green transportation.
The benefits of promoting cycling in France
The benefits of promoting the practice of bike in France are numerous. First of all, it must be recognized that the bicycle is a product accessible to all. It doesn't cost as much as cars do, and it doesn't need fuel to run. So he does not ask for any travel expenses.
The bicycle is also one of the ecological means of transport. It does not pollute the environment and it does not clog the roads. It is even a beneficial vehicle for health. It allows you to move the whole body and therefore to play sports.
During her speech, the head of government also confirmed that the cycling constitutes an asset for the economy of the country. Which also means that cycling is the solution to many problems in France.
The distribution of investments and actions 2023
The 250 million euros released in 2023 will be divided in two, of which: 200 million euros for the development of infrastructures and 50 million euros for the development of parking sites, 2-wheel street furniture.
The government also gives municipalities the possibility of applying for aid to finance their projects. In fact, actions will be carried out both in large cities and in rural territories to achieve the objective of making the bicycle the most used mode of transport for journeys of less than 5 km. More specifically, the executive aims for “9% of French trips to be made by pedaling in 2024”.
The realization of the project
To guarantee the progress of the project, an interministerial committee will meet every six months. The government is also counting on the infrastructure orientation council to decide on future investments granted to cycling in the years to come.
In addition, French suppliers must be able to manufacture nearly one million bicycles per year by 2027 and the 2024 Olympic Games must constitute a sort of showcase for the sector in France. It is true that there are no new boosts planned for individuals, but the aid put in place for the repair and acquisition of bicycles is still valid.