Biking in Paris

Statistics seem to prove that France has a high number of bicycles per habitant. A large part of these bikes are however more of the sporty type - racing, mountain biking etc. - and probably much more used for physical exercising than as a pure means of transportation. Paris as a biking city can for the moment certainly not be compared with some other European cities especially in the Netherlands but also at some places in Germany (e.g. Münster).

Despite considerable efforts to create special tracks for bikes here in Paris, still very few people chose this means of locomotion. I took a walk yesterday afternoon to “check”. I walked along one of the specific biking tracks from close to where I live to Place de l’Etoile, some three kilometres (or two miles). The track was desperately empty; I met perhaps five bikers, whereof one young girl - with her grandparents anxiously running after her.

It’s easy to understand certain reluctance. As a biker you are in danger in a very dense circulation, you are slow compared to all other vehicles which may not pay the same attention to you as to a bus, you have difficulties to be at the right place in the street when you have to turn left or right…




Parking is of course relatively easy and in the ideal case you just park at the metro entrance, hoping to find the bike there and in good shape when you come back (it seems that the second blue bike on my photo at the top has lost a wheel).

Part of the track I followed is perfect for a biker; you are completely separated from other vehicles, in the shadow under some nice trees. Then, suddenly the track is just something painted on the side of the street and there you will frequently find cars and especially delivery vehicles parked for a longer or shorter moment. At some places you have to share your biking track with buses and taxis.




The track I followed starts (or ends) at Place de l’Etoile. But, how do you cross this place? You must be very courageous and if possible also be well insured.

Anyhow, the further promotion of biking in Paris continues and I wish the local municipality the best of luck in their efforts! As from mid July, Paris will start what already has been made elsewhere and by the end of the year some 20 000 bikes will be available at some 1500 stations around the city, where you can pick them up or drop them off. You will be able to subscribe or just use the service occasionally for a very low cost. As a subscriber, you have even 30 minutes free of charge and an extra 30 minutes will cost 1 €.

Many of these stations will be ready in July and I have seen three of them under construction within a radius of two minutes walk from where I live.