In Île-de-France, bicycle facilities are developing in the inner suburbs, less so in the outer suburbs

While cycling has exploded in recent years in Paris, with the appearance of cycle paths everywhere, this ecological mode of transport is less widespread in the outskirts of the capital. However, efforts are being made to encourage it by adapting the infrastructure.

"There is a strong disparity between the departments of the inner and outer suburbs. In the inner suburbs, Val-de-Marne, Seine-Saint-Denis and Hauts-de-Seine are putting more financial and human resources into achieving their objectives, which are also much higher," indicates the Vélo Île-de-France collective in a report on the assessment of bicycle facilities around Paris.

Since the last elections in 2021, the Seine-Saint-Denis departmental council has been the most ambitious in this area with the development of 41,4 kilometers of cycle paths, according to the collective.

The poorest department in metropolitan France was able to take advantage of the opportunities created by the end of the Covid crisis and the hosting of the Olympic Games on its territory, which aimed to promote cycling to reduce its carbon footprint, notes the report.

"By investing 150 million euros in the bicycle plan, we are making Seine-Saint-Denis a model of ecological transition. Our cycling infrastructure will sustainably improve the living environment of residents," said its president (PS) Stéphane Troussel in a press release.

With 36,9 kilometers of linear construction completed since 2021, the action of the Hauts-de-Seine department is also praised for its policy of qualitative developments which "foreshadows a large-scale transformation of the territory", according to the collective.

Conversely, the push for cycle paths is much more measured in the outer suburbs, with much larger and less densely urbanised territories.

Between Yvelines, Val-d'Oise, Seine-et-Marne and Essonne – which represent 93% of the surface area of ​​Île-de-France – only 52,7 kilometres of cycle paths have been built since 2021. However, these figures do not take into account any developments carried out by municipalities on communal roads.

"Results are possible, as the implementation of cycle facilities is rapid compared to major road or public transport projects. To achieve this, we will have to make cycling a priority," believes the Vélo Île-de-France collective.