France wants to see 10% of all trips by bike in 2020 according to a national master plan unveiled last week. In a bid to lift France’s 3% of riders, the Government has released an “ambitious” bicycle plan which also seeks to make France Europe’s No.1 Destination for bicycle tourists.

The 31 page document is a blue print which “seeks to ensure the inclusion of cycling in all national public policies”.

Some of the document’s key objectives and strategies are:

• To make 10% all trips by bicycle by 2020
• To become the number one bicycle tourism destination in Europe.
• To improve infrastructure, including obligatory bicycle garages in all news constructions.
• To develop off road bicycle paths (known as greenways), with a 50% increase in state funding.
• To implement “Right turn at Red Lights” for cyclists 
• To increase everyday bicycle use with the possibility of tax incentives for cyclists
• To improve the image of cycling in France via a national coordinated communication strategy
• To improve bicycle/public transport interconnectivity, as well as investigating combined public transport/bike share tickets.
• To reduce bicycle theft via the “bicycode” scheme to engrave bicycles.

ECF’s Influence

You may remember ECF’s recent Co2 study, which concluded that cycling like the Danes (2.6 km a day) would help the EU reach 25% of the CO2 target for Transport. French policy makers also took this study to heart: it features in the “Plan national de Velo” on page 6 and has been used to justify the need for a national bicycle plan. 

In a speech following the release of the plan, Transport Minister Mariani stated that: “…our general climate change objective alone justifies an ambitious national policy promoting this ecologically responsible mode of transport”.

It would appear French politicians are realizing the bicycle’s potential when it comes to negating transport emissions. That the plans are "ambitious" however is a point of contention amongst many. 

Lacking Ambition? 

The French Bicycle Users Association (FUB) believes that the government plans were lacking in vision. 

“We’re happy that the government has finally taken an official position, but we’re disappointed by their lack of ambition”, stated a spokesperson for the organisation.

The French city of Strasbourg already sees 15% of trips taken by bicycle and ECF’s ‘Charter of Brussels’ is calling for a 15% bicycle modal share in the EU by 2020. France’s next best towns include Grenoble and Nantes  where 5-6% of all trips are done by bicycle. One must ask whether or not the government has missed seizing on a vital political opportunity by setting the bar too low. 

The FUB was however pleased with certain aspects of the plan, such as the government’s partnership on bicycle engraving which it believes should be pushed to the EU level.

The French Greenways Association (AF3V) told French Newspaper Le Moniteur that it’s “delighted bicycle tourism is finally recognized as being important", also underlining that its economic impacts are still largely underestimated.

Time will tell if France is to become the cycling nation that it so yearns to be. 

About the Author

 Julian Ferguson is the Communications Officer for the European Cyclists’ Federation. Originally hailing from Australia and a keen bicycle advocate, he plans one day to ride his bicycle from Brussels to Melbourne