Edouard Philippe, the French Prime Minister, has unveiled today the new cycling masterplan for France. François de Rugy, Minister of Ecology and Sustainable Development, and Elisabeth Borne, Minister of Transportation, will be by his side for the announcement taking place in Angers, Loire.

Everyday Cycling just reached a milestone in France!

For the first time, cycling in France has a real chance to reach 9% of modal share by 2024. The French Government is now in line with the propositions of FUB and its partners, relayed through the campaign “Parlons –Velo” / "Let's Talk Bicycle".

This proposition consists of:

- The creation of a national cycling fund of € 350 million over 7 years to support projects for the creation of cycle path networks. The National Agency ADEME already launched a call for projects to help cities to apply for the cycling fund as soon as 2019.

- The development of a bicycle culture, including mandatory learning of bicycle mobility in primary schools.

- The implementation of a global plan to fight against bike theft, including mandatory marking of the new bicycles (and subsequently for used bicycles).

- The introduction of tax incentive measures, where all employees, including civil servants, will have access to a “sustainable mobility package” of up to € 400 per year.

 A victory for FUB and the bike-coalition!

FUB thanks its members all over France, the European Cyclists’ Federation, French and European environmental NGOs, as well as the 200 plus French MPs, local elected officials and numerous other partners and individuals all over France who supported and relayed the campaign “Parlons Velo”.  This bicycle-coalition demonstrates that cycling is a major concern for French citizens.

To carry out its announcements, the national Government must now keep up a steady momentum with its plan.

The announcement of the bicycle plan is not only a strong achievement but the signal of things to come, as it is only the beginning of a national initiative to create a "bicycle system" (see attached illustration). FUB now expects the Government to generate synergy between local authorities, employers, cycle and transportation industries and civil society. The French Government must now show a strong leadership, in order to meet the objectives of what must be a commonly owned plan.

FUB will keep a keen eye on the implementation. Our associations are eager to take part. More than ever, FUB will stay mobilized and stimulate communities to respond to the "bicycle and territory" call for projects so that the cycling transition quickly shifts from dream to reality!

To find out more, see the French press release of our member FUB here.