Le Figaro Nantes
To develop the practice of cycling, the Loire-Atlantique departmental council has decided to move up a gear.
For the first time, the multi-year road investment programme, which sets the course in this area for the next ten years, includes a specific section devoted to cycling.
“This project for a new cycle scheme is historic
,” enthuses Freddy Hervochon (PS), vice-president in charge of mobility.
The stated objective is substantial: to create a cycle network that will connect all the municipalities of Loire-Atlantique by bike.
“
Before, the focus was on tourist routes.
There, the idea is to connect the towns to each other via utilitarian routes so that people take the car less
, "explains the elected official who evokes a
" considerable challenge "
.
For this, the Department validated, Monday, December 12, an investment of 140 million euros over ten years:
“The envelope is multiplied by three.
It is a historic and proactive action.
»
Budget detail
Of the 140 million euros budget allocated, 100 million will be used to finance projects carried out by the Department of Loire-Atlantique as contracting authority.
The remaining 40 million will be used for projects carried out in co-financing with intermunicipal authorities.
For these joint projects, the Department's participation may go up to 80% in certain cases.
6000km of cycle routes by 2032
In terms of distance, that's what it gives.
By 2032, the county council expects 6,000 km of cycle routes.
Knowing that 2100 km are already existing, there are therefore 3700 km left to put in place.
"We are talking about itineraries and not cycle paths"
, wishes to specify Michel Ménard, the president of the Department.
Clearly, the facilities may vary: cycle lanes, shoes, secure tracks.
“There is also great potential with the disused railway lines
,” anticipates the head of the county council.
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In addition, to cross the Loire more safely by bike, the construction of a cantilevered footbridge (similar to the one already existing on the Mauves-sur-Loire bridge) is planned in the rehabilitation project of the Varades bridge.
Studies must also be carried out to improve cycling across the Haut-Village bridge in Thouaré-sur-Loire.
Bike patrollers
By intervening throughout the territory of the Loire-Atlantique, the Department seeks to promote cycling outside major cities.
"Cycling is not reserved for metropolitan residents"
, defends Freddy Hervochon who wishes through this cycle network project
"to change habits"
.
An ambition shared by Michel Ménard:
“In our department, two-thirds of trips are less than five kilometres.
With this project, we are convinced to further improve the practice of cycling.
»
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If building a cycle route is one thing, maintaining it and keeping it in good condition is another.
On a bicycle, the danger in the face of a pothole or a road rutted by a branch is different from that of driving a vehicle.
"We will set up a team of bicycle patrollers equivalent to what may exist on the classic road network"
, promises Freddy Hervochon.
No date has been given for this deployment or for that of the schedule for the construction of routes:
“We are going to study this with our engineers but there is political will.
»