More people travel by bicycle than by car in Paris, according to new report

Paris is rapidly evolving into a city of transportation cyclists, official measurements reveal. A groundbreaking survey conducted by academics from L’Institut Paris Région, Europe’s largest urban planning and environmental agency, provides fascinating insights into the changing landscape of urban mobility in the French capital.

Published on April 4, the institute’s transportation report underscores the transformative impact of cycling on Parisians’ travel patterns, particularly during peak periods. Thanks to the extensive development of cycleways, commuters are now embracing bicycles as a primary mode of transport, revolutionizing the way they navigate from the suburbs to the city center.

Contrary to stereotypes, the cyclists taking to the streets of central Paris are not Spandex-clad professionals akin to those seen in the Tour de France. Instead, they represent a diverse array of everyday transportation cyclists, embodying the city’s newfound commitment to sustainable and efficient mobility solutions.

The survey, conducted with GPS trackers, was commissioned by a consortium of fourteen public and private partners, including local government bodies and rail companies. This collaborative effort underscores the widespread recognition of cycling as a pivotal component of Paris’s transportation ecosystem.

However, in Paris and the inner suburbs, public transport takes center stage as the preferred mode of transportation. It holds the highest modal share for both commuting to work (45%) and attending educational institutions (67%), surpassing the usage of cars in these scenarios.

Rue de Rivoli in Paris, circa 2020

By comparison, the mode share in Copenhagen is 33% for bicycle trips, and 40% for private cars.

Moreover, cycling has gained significant traction among Parisians, with 30% of bicycle trips in the Île-de-France region attributed to residents of the French capital. This indicates a noteworthy shift towards bicycles as a preferred mode of transportation among urban dwellers, highlighting the growing trend of prioritizing sustainable mobility options over traditional car usage.

It is not a surprise to many, including Mayor Anne Hidalgo who has put the bicycle at the centre of Paris’ transportation planning.

“For each new cycle path, there are always more Parisians who get around!” said Mayor Anne Hidalgo, in a recent social media post. “Like rue du Renard in Paris Centre, whose new cycle path has quickly attracted new cycling fans.”

As cycling gains momentum as a preferred mode of travel, Parisians are experiencing a paradigm shift in their daily commute. With dedicated cycle infrastructure and a growing community of urban cyclists, the future of transportation in Paris is characterized by sustainability, inclusivity, and innovation.

As we pedal towards a greener, more accessible urban landscape, let’s embrace the cycling revolution and strive to make Paris a model city for transportation cyclists around the world.