As Deputy Mayor David Belliard of Europe Ecologie-Les Verts (EELV) aptly notes, cycling in Paris has transcended mere trendiness; it’s become a fundamental aspect of the city’s identity. Despite challenges like inclement weather, cyclists continue to flock to the streets, setting new attendance records and reshaping the urban landscape in the process.
Vive la vélorution!
Right now in every major city in America, active transportation supporters are pointing to this resounding success and shouting, “see, it works! Build the infrastructure to make cycling safe and convenient, and mode shift will occur!” And in every city, the response is “bUt We’Re NoT PaRiS!!1”
Just like “We’Re NoT UtReChT” “We’Re NoT AmStErDaM” “We’Re NoT [any other city that has successfully built a transportation system not completely dominated by automobiles].” Every. Time.
I think this applies mostly to the USA, not the whole of America
Please try to name me a single bicycle lobby in the US. And now exchange bicycle with car.
I mean your point is taken, but Washington Area Bicyclists Association does amazing lobbying in the DMV. We also have some of the most bike friendly drivers around, paired with pretty good infrastructure for the US. It’s a super needed lobby.
You know it’s funny. Just yesterday I saw a video where the governor of North Dakota, a republican! talked about walkable infrastructure, and car dependency. (Also before anyone points out the other shit he’s done, yeah I’ve read about them) This is the video
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Love it!
Cycled a bit in Paris last year and it was nice. Infra is still getting there but drivers are better than here in NL!
Beautiful, just hoping Berlin will follow suit some day
Didn’t the new conservative government there stop any plans for new cycling infrastructure?
Yep… If I’m not mistaken they already reversed a lot of bike lanes. The condition was something on the lines of “if it blocks >5 parking spots in x meters then it can’t be a bike path”.
Also they plan to change the speed limit from many streets from 30 back to 50 kmh.
So yeah, Berlin is walking backwards at the moment…
The big difference is the size of the administrative area. Paris is obviously a much larger city, but the mayor only controls about 100km^2 containing 2 million people, whereas in Berlin the equivalent is almost 900km^2 and 3.5 million people. So while Paris can focus heavily on the concerns of the people that actually love in the city and don’t care much for those driving in, Berlin has to cater towards much more suburban interests.
If you build it, they will come. Who would have thought!
Nein!
Doch!
Oh.
