In a context where sustainable mobility is becoming a priority, the Biking is becoming an essential means of transport for everyday journeys. More and more French people are adopting a combined mode of transport, combining bicycles and trains to optimize their journeys in cities and suburbs. But are station infrastructures really adapted to this transition? Secure parking, accessibility, intermodality... do French stations meet the expectations of cyclists or are they still lagging behind?
Parking is still insufficient and often unsuitable
One of the first challenges for cyclists at train stations remains parking. While some major cities have made efforts to provide dedicated parking, the situation is far from uniform across the country. Many stations, particularly on the outskirts, still have a limited number of bicycle racks or poles, which are often poorly placed and unsecured. As a result, many users find themselves locking their bikes to urban furniture unsuitable, thus increasing the risks of theft and damage.
In some big cities like Paris, Lyon or Bordeaux, secure solutions are beginning to emerge with closed parking lots accessible via a subscription, secure bicycle shelter or a mobile application. However, these infrastructures are still too few in number compared to the growing demand. Compared to countries like the Netherlands, where parking spaces capable of accommodating several thousand bicycles have become the norm around train stations, France is seriously lagging behind.
Accessibility of stations for cyclists: a path strewn with pitfalls
Beyond parking, the issue of station accessibility for cyclists remains a major problem. Many of them do not have specific facilities allowing users14 to arrive by bike safely. securityCycle paths sometimes end well before station entrances, forcing cyclists to weave through car or pedestrian traffic.
Even within stations, obstacles remain numerous. The ubiquitous staircases make it extremely difficult for cyclists to move around, as they sometimes have to carry their bikes up and down several levels. Although some stations have elevators or adapted ramps, these facilities are often undersized or poorly maintained. Furthermore, accessing platforms with a bicycle can be difficult, especially during rush hour when passenger flows are dense.
Transporting bicycles on trains: a policy still too restrictive
Another critical issue remains the space allocated to bicycles on trains. Although the SNCF has announced improvements to integrate more dedicated spaces for bicycles on regional and national trains, the reality on the ground remains mixed. On many TER, Intercités, and TGV lines, bicycle carrying is limited by quotas and sometimes requires a paid reservation. This constraint complicates life for cyclists who wish to combine the two modes of transport without excessive constraints.
Some regions have nevertheless implemented encouraging initiatives, such as free bicycle transport on certain regional trains (TER) or the addition of dedicated cyclist carriages on specific lines. However, these advances remain ad hoc and are insufficient to meet the growing needs of users.
While France is slowly making progress in adapting its stations for cyclists, the infrastructure is still far from optimal. Parking, often insufficient and unsafe, remains a major obstacle to bike-train intermodality. Accessibility to stations and platforms, hampered by inadequate facilities, still too often complicates the daily lives of cyclists. Finally, restrictions on transporting bicycles on board trains are significantly hampering the development of this combined mobility.
To truly encourage the use of bicycles as a complement to the train, it is essential that local authorities and the SNCF accelerate the implementation of suitable solutions: secure and sufficient parking, easier access to stations, and a more flexible policy for transporting bicycles on trains. With facilities such as the Velhup or Velspir 6, Vélo Galaxie is fully part of this dynamic, by providing concrete solutions for a bike parking more practical and more secure. All that remains is for the public authorities to accelerate the movement to make French stations real intermodal hubs adapted to cyclists.