The French government has just announced a new plan bike ambitious, endowed with 2 billion euros, with the aim of encouraging the use of bicycles throughout the country.
This initiative aims to reduce pollution, promote sustainable mobility and improve the quality of life of French citizens. In this article, we will explore the main measures of this plan, which includes massive investments in cycling infrastructure, aid for the purchase and maintenance of bicycles, as well as changes to the Highway Code to ensure better coexistence. between cyclists and motorists.
So get on your bike and find out how this plan could transform the way we get around every day in France.
Massive investments in cycling infrastructure
One of the pillars of the French government's new cycling plan is massive investment in cycling infrastructure. This translates into the creation of 4 km of new cycle paths, which will connect cities, peri-urban areas and rural areas.
The objective is to make cycling accessible and attractive to everyone, regardless of where they live.
In addition to the construction of new cycle paths, the government is committed to improving intermodality between the different modes of transport. This means making it easier to integrate bicycles with public transport, such as trains, trams and buses. Thus, cyclists will be able to use different modes of transport by easily combining the bicycle with other options to optimize their journeys.
Finally, to further encourage citizens to use their bicycles on a daily basis, the plan also provides for the implementation of secure bicycle parking in stations, city centers and employment areas. This measure aims to reassure cyclists about the security their bicycles when they leave them unattended and to avoid theft, which is one of the main concerns of users.
These massive investments in cycling infrastructure are a crucial step in encouraging the adoption of cycling in France, by making this means of transport more practical, safe and accessible for all.
Aid for the purchase and maintenance of bicycles
The French government's new cycling plan is not content with improving cycling infrastructure, it also provides financial aid to encourage citizens to equip themselves and maintain their bikes. Here are the main support measures for the purchase and maintenance of bicycles implemented in this plan:
Extension of the aid scheme for the purchase of electric bicycles: To encourage the French to opt for a electric bike, the government has decided to extend its purchase aid scheme. This measure will allow more people to benefit from a subsidy for the acquisition of an electrically assisted bicycle, thus reducing their initial cost and making them more affordable.
Creation of a check for 50 euros for the maintenance of the bicycles: In order to promote the maintenance of bicycles in good condition, the government has set up a check of 50 euros for the maintenance of bicycles. This financial assistance aims to encourage bicycle owners to make the necessary repairs and adjustments to ensure safe and long-lasting use of their means of transport.
Tax incentives for companies encouraging the use of bicycles: The plan also provides tax incentives for companies that encourage their employees to cycle to work. These measures could include tax benefits for companies that set up infrastructure such as secure bicycle parking, changing rooms or showers for cyclists.
These subsidies for the purchase and maintenance of bicycles demonstrate the French government's commitment to supporting sustainable mobility and facilitating access to bicycles for all citizens. Thanks to these measures, more and more French people will be able to choose the bicycle as an ecological and economical means of transport.
Changes to the Highway Code
The French government's new bicycle plan also provides for changes to the Highway Code to ensure better coexistence between cyclists and motorists, and guarantee the safety of all road users.
Among these modifications, the government wishes to create new types of circulation spaces to improve safety and cohabitation between the different modes of transport. The “cycling street” will be an area where cyclists will have priority and motorists will have to adapt their driving accordingly. The “meeting zone” will be a space shared between pedestrians, cyclists and motorists, where the maximum speed will be limited to 20 km/h.
In order to protect cyclists and deter dangerous behaviour, the penalties for motorists who do not respect the safety distances or commit other offenses endangering cyclists will be reinforced. This includes higher fines and, in some cases, penalty points on the driver's license.
The government also plans to further integrate cyclist safety into driver training. Future motorists must therefore be made aware of the specificities of cycling and learn to adopt respectful and safe behavior towards cyclists.
These changes to the Highway Code aim to make French roads safer and more user-friendly for cyclists, and to promote better cohabitation between all users. By introducing these new rules and strengthening driver training, the government hopes to encourage more people to take up cycling as a means of daily transport.
The French government's new bicycle plan, endowed with 2 billion euros, represents an important step in the promotion of sustainable mobility and the encouragement of the use of bicycles in France. Thanks to massive investments in cycling infrastructure, aid for the purchase and maintenance of bicycles, as well as changes to the Highway Code to guarantee safety and cohabitation between cyclists and motorists, this plan aims to transform the way which we move about on a daily basis.
Galaxy Bike