How Paris swapped cars for bikes – and transformed its streets
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That’s incredible. I wish cities in the US would do stuff like this too - it’s so terrifying to ride a bike where I live even inside the bike lanes because so few cars even acknowledge the bike lanes. I would go for more walks with my dog if there were less cars too, both he and I are sensitive to loud sounds like engines
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Under Anne Hidalgo – mayor for 12 years until last week – the French capital added bike lanes, cut traffic and reclaimed public space, but not without resistance
It’s a partisan paper. With very selected pictures that show only… nice situations. It’s not like that everywhere in Paris, far from it.
As a Parisian and as a pedestrian, I’m very unhappy with the ‘bike’ situation because of the way electric bikes and scooters (I don’t know the English word for our French ‘trotinettes’) have invaded sidewalks making it a real danger to just, you know, be walking.
Not only do we have to worry when we want to cross a street, because of the cars (and more and more because of the bikes that consider traffic lights do not apply to them), but we now also have to constantly be on the lookout (even looking behind our back, and keep in mind we, pedestrians, have no rear mirrors) when we are simply walking on the sidewalk because of those electrical bikes and scooters. I insist on the ‘electric’ part as they’re the ones causing most troubles, not people pedaling or pushing their scooter.
Sorry, It probably wont be a popular comment but it is a comment from someone that has been living in Paris for the last 27 years and that have not owned a car in over 26 years, someone that loves the idea of giving back the streets to bikes… Just not the way we are now forced to “share” (there is nos haring happening, they will rush through the crowd) our effing sidewalks. Sidewalks are the only space pedestrians can safely use in town, ffs.
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Under Anne Hidalgo – mayor for 12 years until last week – the French capital added bike lanes, cut traffic and reclaimed public space, but not without resistance
It’s a partisan paper. With very selected pictures that show only… nice situations. It’s not like that everywhere in Paris, far from it.
As a Parisian and as a pedestrian, I’m very unhappy with the ‘bike’ situation because of the way electric bikes and scooters (I don’t know the English word for our French ‘trotinettes’) have invaded sidewalks making it a real danger to just, you know, be walking.
Not only do we have to worry when we want to cross a street, because of the cars (and more and more because of the bikes that consider traffic lights do not apply to them), but we now also have to constantly be on the lookout (even looking behind our back, and keep in mind we, pedestrians, have no rear mirrors) when we are simply walking on the sidewalk because of those electrical bikes and scooters. I insist on the ‘electric’ part as they’re the ones causing most troubles, not people pedaling or pushing their scooter.
Sorry, It probably wont be a popular comment but it is a comment from someone that has been living in Paris for the last 27 years and that have not owned a car in over 26 years, someone that loves the idea of giving back the streets to bikes… Just not the way we are now forced to “share” (there is nos haring happening, they will rush through the crowd) our effing sidewalks. Sidewalks are the only space pedestrians can safely use in town, ffs.
That’s a social responsibility problem, not a bike problem though
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Under Anne Hidalgo – mayor for 12 years until last week – the French capital added bike lanes, cut traffic and reclaimed public space, but not without resistance
It’s a partisan paper. With very selected pictures that show only… nice situations. It’s not like that everywhere in Paris, far from it.
As a Parisian and as a pedestrian, I’m very unhappy with the ‘bike’ situation because of the way electric bikes and scooters (I don’t know the English word for our French ‘trotinettes’) have invaded sidewalks making it a real danger to just, you know, be walking.
Not only do we have to worry when we want to cross a street, because of the cars (and more and more because of the bikes that consider traffic lights do not apply to them), but we now also have to constantly be on the lookout (even looking behind our back, and keep in mind we, pedestrians, have no rear mirrors) when we are simply walking on the sidewalk because of those electrical bikes and scooters. I insist on the ‘electric’ part as they’re the ones causing most troubles, not people pedaling or pushing their scooter.
Sorry, It probably wont be a popular comment but it is a comment from someone that has been living in Paris for the last 27 years and that have not owned a car in over 26 years, someone that loves the idea of giving back the streets to bikes… Just not the way we are now forced to “share” (there is nos haring happening, they will rush through the crowd) our effing sidewalks. Sidewalks are the only space pedestrians can safely use in town, ffs.
In Romania, bikes are treated as vehicles in the legislation. That means that if you don't have any amenities you are required to ride on the first lane of every road, as close to the curb as possible. Of course, some people take the sidewalk too, but they're really risking it. If they encounter a policeman that is actually determined to do their job that day, they're kinda screwed. -
That’s incredible. I wish cities in the US would do stuff like this too - it’s so terrifying to ride a bike where I live even inside the bike lanes because so few cars even acknowledge the bike lanes. I would go for more walks with my dog if there were less cars too, both he and I are sensitive to loud sounds like engines
it’s so terrifying to ride a bike where I live even inside the bike lanes because so few cars even acknowledge the bike lanes.
We need those in charge of policies to recognize that paint isn’t infrastructure. Every time I see a new “bike lane” painted on a road I just think its a cheap cop out.
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In Romania, bikes are treated as vehicles in the legislation. That means that if you don't have any amenities you are required to ride on the first lane of every road, as close to the curb as possible. Of course, some people take the sidewalk too, but they're really risking it. If they encounter a policeman that is actually determined to do their job that day, they're kinda screwed.
Same thing in France. I also live and Paris and don’t really know what the other commenter is talking about: bikes and electric scooters are not supposed to be ridden on the sidewalk, and from my experience rarely are if there’s an available bike lane. The only places I regularly see bikes on the sidewalk are those where the road infrastructure makes it too dangerous to ride a bike on a street
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That’s a social responsibility problem, not a bike problem though
I have a hard time understanding what you mean? Bike are not beings, they are no problem, nor is a hammer, it always is the people using them, right?
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Same thing in France. I also live and Paris and don’t really know what the other commenter is talking about: bikes and electric scooters are not supposed to be ridden on the sidewalk, and from my experience rarely are if there’s an available bike lane. The only places I regularly see bikes on the sidewalk are those where the road infrastructure makes it too dangerous to ride a bike on a street
Then I don't get why is that person not reporting stuff like that to the police, especially on streets where this is a more common occurrence... -
Same thing in France. I also live and Paris and don’t really know what the other commenter is talking about: bikes and electric scooters are not supposed to be ridden on the sidewalk, and from my experience rarely are if there’s an available bike lane. The only places I regularly see bikes on the sidewalk are those where the road infrastructure makes it too dangerous to ride a bike on a street
bikes and electric scooters are not supposed to be ridden on the sidewalk
They are not supposed but they do.
Same thing in France. I also live and Paris and don’t really know what the other commenter is talking about
Since I have no stats or pictures to share, for anyone else reading French wanting to have an idea “what I’m talking about”, here are a few of the results I was served searching for “Paris accidents velo et trotinettes”, in no particular order. BTW, I have not read all of those articles I just want to make it clear I’m not imagining things like the previous comment seems to imply (sorry for the lack of layout, I made it real quick):
- “The number of cyclists in the streets of the capital has exploded since the Covid epidemic. Cycle paths have sprung up, the space and speed of cars have been reduced, but pedestrians are now wary of bicycles and scooters that run red lights and ride on sidewalks.” France 24 the original French: “Le nombre de cyclistes a explosé dans les rues de la capitale depuis l’épidémie de Covid. Les pistes cyclables ont fleuri, la place et la vitesse des voitures ont été réduites mais les piétons se méfient maintenant des vélos et trottinettes qui grillent les priorités, montent sur les trottoirs.”
- “The trial of the nurse who fatally struck a 32-year-old woman with her scooter in 2021 before fleeing the scene opens on Thursday, March 20. Her name was Miriam, she was Italian, and she worked as a waitress in Saint-Germain-des-Prés (Paris). On June 14, 2021, she collided with another young woman, a nurse riding a shared electric scooter. The latter was traveling too fast, in a prohibited lane, and with a passenger. The scooter struck a group of pedestrians. Miriam died after falling.” France Info, the roginal French: “Le procès de l’infirmière qui avait en 2021 mortellement percuté à trottinette une jeune femme de 32 ans, avant de prendre la fuite, s’ouvre jeudi 20 mars. Elle se prénommait Miriam, était italienne et serveuse à Saint-Germain-des-Près (Paris). Le 14 juin 2021, sa route a croisé celle d’une autre jeune femme, une infirmière circulant sur une trottinette électrique en libre-service. Celle-ci roulait trop vire, sur une voie interdite et avec un passager. La trottinette a percuté un groupe de piétons. Miriam est décédée après avoir chuté.”
- [En quelques jours seulement, deux piétons ont été très gravement blessés à Paris, renversés par un vélo ou une trottinette électrique. Deux drames qui posent désormais la question des « mobilités douces » très prisées par la mairie de Paris.](https://www.epochtimes.fr/pietons-danger-a-paris-polemique-apres-2-accidents-graves-impliquant-velo-trottinettes-1773520.html
- “It’s anarchy in all the streets. Even though there are cycle paths, everyone does whatever they want: scooters everywhere on the sidewalks, cyclists who don’t know the rules of the road and parents terrified at the thought of seeing their child cross,” she says. “C’est l’anarchie dans toutes les rues. Il a beau y avoir des pistes cyclables, tout le monde fait n’importe quoi : des trottinettes dans tous les sens sur les trottoirs, des cyclistes qui ne connaissent pas le code de la route et des parents terrorisés à l’idée de voir traverser leur enfant", estime-t-elle.
- ““The decision to ban electric scooters didn’t come out of nowhere. It stems from several observations that have stirred the city in recent months. Safety was the top priority. The number of collisions and falls involving these vehicles has skyrocketed, turning some roads into obstacle courses. Added to this is chronic urban disorder, fueled by scooters abandoned anywhere and everywhere, blocking strollers, wheelchairs, and hurried pedestrians. Insecurity has taken hold, exacerbated by the disregard for rules and the increase in risky behavior.” Why Paris is saying no to free-access electric scooters which is explaing what Paris put a ban on rental electric scooters “La décision de bannir les trottinettes électriques ne sort pas de nulle part. Son origine tient à plusieurs constats qui ont agité la ville ces derniers mois. Avant tout, la sécurité a été placée en tête de liste. Le nombre de collisions et de chutes impliquant ces véhicules a bondi, transformant certains axes en parcours d’obstacles. À cela s’ajoute un désordre urbain chronique, alimenté par des engins abandonnés n’importe où, bloquant poussettes, fauteuils roulants et passants pressés. L’insécurité s’est installée, attisée par le non-respect des règles et la multiplication des comportements à risque. »
And btw, “abandonned” (rental) bikes (abandonned in the middle of the sidewalks, or even at the entrance/exit of a crosswalk) are another issue on their own.
All I’m saying is that this behavior (and I insist the issue pedestrians are most concerned with is with electrical, not with actual bike users: they already have enough trouble dealing with cars) is a real danger and should notbe tolerated or minimized. Even if we like bikes more than cars.
The only places I regularly see bikes on the sidewalk are those where the road infrastructure makes it too dangerous to ride a bike on a street
So, it’s ok to make it “too dangerous” for pedestrians instead? Not my logic, but as a pedestrian I’m obviously biased.
Also, keep in mind the code makes it clear it is ok to push a bike on sidewalk, that does not make it OK to ride it. Even less so when it’s an electrical one, which makes it go so much faster.
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I have a hard time understanding what you mean? Bike are not beings, they are no problem, nor is a hammer, it always is the people using them, right?
Yeah it’s idiots doing idiotic things. I’d rather have them doing idiotic things on bikes and scooters than cars.
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Yeah it’s idiots doing idiotic things. I’d rather have them doing idiotic things on bikes and scooters than cars.
Agreed, but accidents still are accidents 'sometimes with dramatic consequences). And excusing idiocy or idiotic behavior because it happens on a bike is not a good idea: it the same idiocy with the same sad consequences. Like I said, the tool is not the issue, how a person is using it is.
