Paris Pedals to the Top: How the City of Light Became Europe’s Best for Young Cyclists

In a city once choked with cars and infamous for its traffic snarls, Paris has pulled off a remarkable turnaround. According to a major new ranking released by the Clean Cities Campaign, the French capital has officially become Europe’s best city for children to walk, cycle, and move around independently—a win that’s left even long-time champions like Amsterdam and Copenhagen in its slipstream.

The report, published on May 14, assessed 36 cities across Europe based on three child-centric mobility indicators: the presence of “school streets,” the extent of protected cycling infrastructure, and urban speed limits. Paris took first place overall, thanks to bold changes in policy and street design, especially under the leadership of Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

“Taking a walk through Paris today is a breath of fresh air compared to 10 years ago,” said Barbara Stoll, Senior Director of the Clean Cities Campaign. “It takes vision, leadership, and sustained investment, but most cities can and should make similar progress.”

Protected by Design

At the heart of Paris’s transformation is its expanding network of protected bike lanes. These lanes are physically separated from cars—a critical feature for safety, especially for children. Paris now has protected cycling routes stretching across nearly half (48%) of its road network, a figure matched only by Helsinki and ahead of long-time bike bastions like Copenhagen.

For the everyday cyclist, this means the dream of sending your child off to school on two wheels is no longer a fantasy. It’s quickly becoming the norm.

The Power of School Streets

One of the most significant policy wins highlighted in the report is the rise of “school streets”—roads near primary schools that are closed to most traffic during key hours. They boost safety, cut air pollution, and encourage walking and biking. While London leads in raw numbers with 525 school streets, Paris still ranks high, rolling out more with each school year.

Studies show these initiatives don’t just keep kids safer—they actively encourage families to ditch the car. It’s urban policy as parenting support.

Children’s Streets, Paris, France

Slowing Down to Speed Up Change

Third on the scoreboard: speed. Paris now enforces a 30 km/h (around 19 mph) speed limit on 89% of its streets, more than any other city in the ranking. These “slow zones” are a proven way to cut serious crashes and promote livable neighborhoods. For cyclists of all ages, this changes everything.

Ask any parent: would you let your child bike in traffic at 50 km/h? What about 30? The difference isn’t just numbers—it’s a shift in feeling, in freedom, and in safety.

A Surprising Podium

Amsterdam, the long-reigning monarch of bike-friendly urbanism, came second in the rankings, followed by Antwerp, Brussels, Lyon, and Helsinki. Copenhagen, surprisingly, slid to 11th place—despite its vast bike infrastructure—due to a lack of school streets and slower progress in expanding low-speed zones.

London, meanwhile, rocketed up the list to 14th thanks to its sheer number of school streets. But protected cycle lanes and widespread 30 km/h zones remain patchy across the British capital.

Interestingly, the rankings exposed stark disparities even within countries. Italy, for example, boasts high-quality school streets in cities like Bologna, but has four cities at the bottom of the list due to uneven implementation and political resistance. Germany and Poland, still steeped in car-first thinking, showed similar inconsistencies.

No City Got an “A”

Despite progress, no city earned a perfect score. Even Paris still has gaps—particularly in rolling out school streets across all districts. On average, only 17% of city roads across Europe are covered by protected bike lanes. In 10 cities, school streets are nonexistent.

The Clean Cities Campaign is urging governments to empower local leaders and prioritize children in urban mobility strategies. “This isn’t just about transport,” said Stoll. “It’s about public health, climate, and social equity.”

What This Means for Riders

For the readers of Urban Cyclist, the message is clear: cycling in Europe’s cities is entering a new chapter—one focused on future generations. The infrastructure built to keep children safe and mobile is the same infrastructure that makes cities healthier, quieter, and more enjoyable for everyone.

And Paris is now the front wheel in that peloton.

If your city isn’t yet pedaling in the right direction, maybe it’s time to ring the bell.