Develop the bicycle solution as an individual and resilient mode of transport in sparsely populated and peri-urban areas
It is quite possible to develop the displacement to bike outside the big cities. Given the results of the barometer of cycling cities 2021, 1 municipalities have been classified by the FUB and there was record participation from sparsely populated areas and peri-urban areas.
In fact, the figures collected reveal a growing enthusiasm for the daily practice of this clean mobility beyond the major French cities. So now is the time to encourage its use as an individual mode of transport in these small and medium-sized towns.
Current cycling trends
The promotion of cycling as well as the improvement of the conditions for traveling by bike in peri-urban, sparsely populated and rural areas must be prioritized by the responsible entities in order to develop the bicycle solution there as an individual mode of transport. It is indeed necessary to ensure that the bicycle manages to make its way in these territories.
Considering current cycling trends in these places, most cyclists, especially students and young professionals, started cycling in a big city. They opted for cycling because it was too expensive or very impractical for them to travel by public transport or by car.
Recognizing all the advantages of cycling, these cyclists stuck to their habit once they left the big city. They continue to pedal in small French villages in order to limit travel costs, not pollute the environment, play sports and take advantage of a low-accident mode of travel. As a result, we must therefore find effective ways to motivate them more and to make non-cyclists aware of doing like them.
The brakes on the development of cycling in sparsely populated, peri-urban and rural areas
One of the factors that slows down the growth of cycling in sparsely populated, peri-urban and rural areas is the dangerousness of departmental and national roads. Not only are the infrastructures unsuitable, but the cycle paths are largely insufficient, unsafe and designed more for tourists than for everyday use.
Given the results of the FUB 2021 report, it is time to think about solutions that can encourage the use of cycling as an individual mode of transport in these areas and above all to adapt local planning decisions. Aside from that, we also need to review the price of bicycles, particularly that of VAE which, until then, can be considered a real luxury.