In 2020, everything has changed for cycling.
The long strike against the pension reform and then the health crisis accelerated a movement that had been brewing for a few years.
Tens of thousands of Ile-de-France residents have swapped their Navigo pass to get in the saddle and avoid crowded public transport.
Where secure tracks have been built, swarms of cyclists have appeared, each day a little more furnished.
Result: between the regional elections of 2015 and that of 2021, the political status of cycling has made its revolution in Ile-de-France.
"In six years, cycling has gone from being a marginal subject to a phenomenon that all candidates take seriously," notes Louis Belenfant, director of the Collectif Vélo Ile-de-France.
We have been able to structure ourselves at the associative level, to be stronger and better understood.
The level of understanding of the issues and the cycling system has improved a lot among politicians.
Culturally, the bicycle has won.
The elected officials understood that this is the meaning of history.
"
The collective born in 2019 brings together around forty cycling associations.
He is at the origin of the RER Vélo project, a continuous cycle network of 650 km, which he hopes to see materialize in the coming years.
To achieve this, he is counting on the future elected representatives of Ile-de-France who will come out of the polls on June 20 and 27, during regional and departmental elections.
Tracks separated from traffic and parking lots in stations
To make themselves heard, for several weeks, citizen cyclists have been campaigning.
On the Internet, they have put online the YesWeBike.fr platform, which presents the measures to be taken to make cycling a pleasant and safe mode of travel throughout the region.
In addition to the tracks separated from traffic and continuous, the associations want all stations to be equipped with secure bicycle parking spaces, in order to develop “train + bicycle” intermodality.
Another proposal: allow high school students to have quality bicycles at low prices.
“In Ile-de-France, space is scarce, and the bicycle is an adapted mobility solution, underlines Stein van Oosteren, spokesperson for the collective, author of the test“ Why not the bicycle?
".
The citizens have imagined an infrastructure, the RER bicycle.
It is up to the elect to seize it.
"
The volunteers of the collective went to meet the various heads of the list to ask them what they intended to do once elected to the regional or departmental council.
Candidates of all sensibilities received them, “except for RN, for whom mobility does not seem to be an important topic,” regrets the Vélo collective.
"How far will we agree to reduce the space of the car?"
After the campaign, it will be a question of moving from intentions to concretizations.
"How far will we accept to reduce the space of the car, by eliminating lanes and parking spaces?"
This is the question that arises, ”summarizes Louis Belenfant.
Who insists: "Building real cycle paths helps to avoid conflicts between cars, bicycles and pedestrians".
Locally, mayors are still reluctant to limit the space until now devoted only to cars.
“There is resistance to change.
But you have to know how to take a step back: this cycle network will be a facility of general interest, very inexpensive compared to the Grand Paris Express ”.
Plan RER bike cycle paths LP
The proposals of the heads of the list to develop the practice of cycling
Clémentine Autain (LFI-PCF): "Making cycling a mode of transport in its own right"
.
“Support for the RER Vélo project.
A long-term mechanical bicycle rental system, with reduced rates for high school students.
A
bicycle boost
of 50 euros for the repair.
Build bicycle parking spaces.
"
Audrey Pulvar (SE): “A 100% cycling region”.
“
Build the entire Express Regional Cycling Network, wide, secure and continuous cycle paths.
Develop the offer of self-service bicycles and secure bicycle garages near stations and high schools (at least 150,000 spaces).
"
Jordan Bardella (RN):
“Yes to the development of cycle paths,
but in a reasonable and harmonious way with the spaces reserved for both cars and pedestrians.
Let's not use the bicycle to fight car users.
»Declaration in Le Parisien of May 13.
Valérie Pécresse (Libres!): “First French region for cycling”.
“Doubling of Véligo.
Continuation of the regional bonus of 500 euros for the purchase of an electrically assisted bicycle (VAE).
Support for the RER Vélo, 60% funded by the region.
100% of stations and high schools equipped with bicycle parking spaces.
Help with the electric conversion of bikes.
"
Julien Bayou (EELV):
“1,700 km of cycle paths and donation of bicycles to high school students”.
“Creation of the RER Vélo, 1,700 km of tracks by 2027. New bicycles for all high school students and loan of reconditioned bicycles.
A unique Navigo pass with self-service bicycle and access to secure parking at stations.
"
Laurent Saint-Martin (LREM): "We will implement the RER Vélo".
“We will double the size of the cycle path network and make it safer.
We will set up a bonus for converting a thermal vehicle to an electrically assisted bicycle.
"