City of Bikes? Δοκιμάζουμε τους ποδηλατόδρομους της γαλλικής πρωτεύουσας

Είναι το Παρίσι η πόλη του ποδηλάτου; Ποδηλατώντας στο Παρίσι, ο Σπύρος Παπαγεωργίου, μας μεταφέρει την εμπειρία του από τους δρόμους του Παρισιού και τις ποδηλατικές υποδομές της γαλλικής πρωτεύουσας.
Τα τελευταία 20 χρόνια, το Παρίσι έχει κάνει τεράστιες προόδους σε σχέση με την ανάπτυξη της χρήσης του ποδηλάτου σε βαθμό που πλέον στην πόλη κυκλοφορούν περισσότερα ποδήλατα από αυτοκίνητα!

Πώς τα κατάφερε όμως και πώς συγκρίνονται οι υποδομές του με εκείνες άλλων παραδοσιακών “ποδηλατουπόλεων;” Και ποια είναι τα χαρακτηριστικά της πόλης της οποίας το πρόσωπο είναι φανερό πως έχει αλλάξει πλέον;

Το Παρίσι αποτελεί ένα εντυπωσιακό παράδειγμα πως οι πόλεις αλλάζουν. Οι συνήθειες αλλάζουν. Αρκεί ένας πολιτικός με όραμα και αποφασιστικότητα κι ένα αποτελεσματικό σύστημα μέσων μαζικής μεταφοράς.

Προπόνηση για ποδηλάτες, αθλητική διατροφή, γυμναστική στο σπίτι, αστική ποδηλασία, ταξίδια με ποδήλατο, δοκιμές ποδηλάτων, πώς φτιάχνω το ποδήλατό μου και άλλα τεχνικά θέματα από τους εξειδικευμένους συνεργάτες του MBike.

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Video Editor: Χριστιάνα Μικελοπούλου

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This is Paris. In my opinion, the most beautiful metropolis in the world! But this video is not ‘touristic’ — its goal is to show you the city’s cycling infrastructure. As you can see here — on this map that depicts all of Paris’s bike lanes and cycling facilities! So let’s go cycling in Paris! First observation: Paris now has many bicycles. A lot of them, really a lot. And everyone uses them: young people, old people, kids, students, professionals, tourists — everyone. Second observation: Paris’s infrastructure differs radically from Amsterdam or Copenhagen. It is more chaotic, more inventive, often somewhat rough, still searching, learning, rushing — but it exists. According to the data, there are more than 1,000 kilometers of cycling routes, 300 of them separated lanes. It offers around 60,000 bicycle parking spaces and 50 secure cages serving 300 bikes each. The goal is to create 130,000 new, safer parking spaces across the city. These thoughts came to me while visiting Paris, exploring whether the French capital is on the right path to becoming the ultimate cycling city. As its mayor — the rock star of cycling, Anne Hidalgo — has promised. And of course, I made these observations… by cycling! It all started with Vélib. Paris now has an impressive bike-sharing system with 1,480 stations and 20,000 bicycles. 40% of them are e-bikes. Vélib has over 470,000 subscribers and 49.3 million rides per year. On one day alone last September, 215,000 rides were recorded! Every year, over 150 million kilometers are ridden with these bicycles. And I’m happy to say I contributed a few hundred kilometers myself! Of course, none of this happens by itself, nor with wishful thinking — nor empty political statements. But with investments of more than €250 million during 2021–2026, and €150 million in 2015–2020. This program started 20 years ago — not overnight. Note: next time you hear a politician casually promising a single bike lane… Or a mayor saying they WILL do something for cycling without a specific and costed plan… Remember: it takes at least 10 years of work and planning to succeed. Third observation: cycling in Paris is not as easy as it sounds — if you’re not used to it! Cyclists ride as if they’re bumper cars! Even chic elderly ladies in dresses and heels rush across. Cyclists in Paris show little regard for traffic lights. More than once someone nearly hit me because I stopped at a red light! Cyclists go wherever they want — cars too — in a strange urban symphony. There is not a single crosswalk where cyclists respect pedestrian priority. Whether it’s a delivery guy or a mom on a cargo bike with kids, they all ignore pedestrians. So much for the myth of ‘they are good and we are not.’ Infrastructure varies with conditions and street width. Many places have no facilities at all. Inexperienced cyclists feel uneasy, while experienced ones ride with ease. A Dutch cyclist told me: ‘These aren’t bike facilities… they just painted a few lines on the street.’ Back to infrastructure: there are 5 categories in Paris. Separated cycle tracks, bike lanes next to traffic, bus lanes allowing bikes, bicycle streets, and one-way streets with contra-flow. The last ones are my favorite — ideal for cities like Athens, even though Greek law ignores them. Contra-flow works well in Paris — simple, practical, and safe. Cycling through Paris, you realize that no matter how much infrastructure you have, you always want more. Cars still dominate — Paris is a ‘constitutional monarchy’ of cars, Athens a ‘car dictatorship.’ In addition to Vélib, at least two rental companies operate, though the bikes aren’t in great shape. Advice for visitors: cycling in Paris is worth it! Vélib remains the best option despite limitations. Visitors can choose a 24-hour pass (€5, unlimited 30-min rides) or a 3-day pass (€20, 1-hour rides). It can be tiring to dock bikes frequently, but it’s simple — don’t be afraid, do it! After 4 days of cycling, I realized life in a big city is much easier with a bike! Millions move daily this way, reducing traffic. Congestion still exists but would be worse without bikes. Annoying: delivery trucks unloading any time of day. Garbage trucks blocking roads during rush hour. Still, in a former car-centric city like Paris, cycling is easier and more democratic. Free parking has been drastically reduced — pushing people to use public transport or bikes. Paris metro — fast, reliable, frequent — is key to the city’s cycling success. Paris treats cars strictly — no free space for parking everywhere, freeing room for infrastructure. Lesson from Paris: miracles don’t happen — but cities can change. It takes time, planning, money, and above all, political courage and vision — plus good public transport. Anne Hidalgo was heavily criticized at first — by cyclists (not enough) and drivers (too much). But she had a team, a plan, and vision. Her legacy is transforming Paris. Does it matter? Vélib alone replaced nearly 50 million car trips last year. The result: cleaner air — so clean it felt like the mountains. My phone even said ‘excellent air quality for exercise!’ As I left Paris by train, I wondered: Does Paris show the future of European cities? Or just one mayor’s vision? Although I don’t have the answers, I suggest you go — not for the Louvre or Eiffel Tower, but to cycle! Enjoy it, laugh at the wild cyclists, and experience the French cycling revolution. And when you pass by city hall, bow to Anne Hidalgo — for proving change is possible, if you want it!