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A man riding a bike along the road. Photo by Eddie Junior- Unsplash
How safe is riding a bike in Paris?
It’s peak hour on the rue de Rivoli, the legendary main road that runs through the center of Paris, and the only sound you can hear is the dinging of bells. This main artery, which was once clogged with traffic, has become overtaken by cyclists. Except for a section of the street restricted for buses, taxis, and emergency responders, the cyclist reigns supreme.
It is the climax of a significant shift in urban policy for Paris, a city that has always had a deep connection with the automobile. However, since her election as Mayor of Paris in 2014, Anne Hidalgo has placed new policies to change the town into a global cycling capital, with funding of more than €150 million and the goal of multiplying the amount of cycle paths.
This rule was bolstered even more by the late 2019 public transportation boycotts and then, of course, Covid arrived. With several people preferring to cycle instead of taking congested public transportation and others exploring different methods for staying fit, Hidalgo introduced 50km of pop-up bike lanes throughout the city. These separated bike lanes, known as coronapistes, were an instant success and have since become a regular addition.
Read more on; Cycling in Paris
How to Get Around
Riding a bike in Paris has become much simpler and more convenient in recent years, thanks to designated cycle paths, broadened bus passageways, and Vélib’ city bicycles. The majority of the town is pretty flat and can be covered on a bike in about 30 minutes in regular traffic however, if you’re going to Montmartre, Belleville, or Butte-aux-Cailles, you might want to explore the new electric bicycle alternatives offered.
The in and outs of the bicycle paths accessible to cyclists
Bicycles parked outside on a sunny day. Photo by Svetlana Gumerova- Unsplash
During spring, Paris launched a five-year, 150-million-euro bicycle project that will convert transport services in Paris. By 2020, the overall project will have increased the amount of bike lanes throughout the city. The framework covers a cycle freeway with more than 80 kilometers of two-way cycle paths running north, south, east, and west through the city.
These cycle freeways will be totally distinct from vehicle traffic, significantly enhancing the safety of both outdoor recreation and skilled urban bike riders. Existing bike paths will be extended to connect with the new axis, and new routes will be constructed. This five-year plan will increase Paris’s cycle routes to 1400km.
Furthermore, over 7000 intersections will be remodeled to enable bike riders to turn right at any time and speed restrictions on most city streets will be reduced to 30km/h. Each of these decisions will remarkably improve the safety of bike riders. This new Paris bicycling proposal is fantastic news for bikers in the future.
Best Routes to use while cycling
The Northern Canals
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Good for: Getting away from the city, with most of it being child-friendly.
Not recommended for Thrilling monuments. The canal can become repetitive once you leave Paris.
How to get there: 29 Rue du Faubourg du Temple, 75010 Paris, France
La Coulée Verte du sud parisien
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Great for: The village fresh-air experience that every Parisian requires.
Not suitable for: Cafés. There are only a few of them along this trail.
HOW TO GET THERE: De Paris à Massy, 92330 Palaiseau, France
The Right Bank
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Excellent for: Safety, as there are no cars, it is ideal for children.
Not Suitable: Speed is not one of its strong suits. On a nice day, you’ll regularly find yourself stuck among people walking.
The Left Bank
practical information
EXCELLENT FOR: Rapid-fire tourist trade is ideal. This is a two-wheeled version of a hop-on/hop-off bus.
It’s not ideal for: a scenic ride — it’s all very urban, with pretty narrow two-way bike lanes.
HOW TO GET THERE: Simoneit Religion, 75015 Paris, France
Rue de Rivoli’s
practical information
Useful for: Seeing how a model urban-cycling route looks.
Not so good for: Traveling long distances. The entire length of the Rue de Rivoli is only about 3 kilometers.
Don’t try to beat the red light outside the Louvre. Buses accelerate out from beneath the museum’s domes.
HOW TO GET THERE: Paris, France
Read more on; 10 Best Cycling Routes in Paris
How to safely ride a bike around Paris
Ofo’s bikes in Paris. Photo by VizAforMemories- Unsplash
It used to be dangerous to ride a bike in Paris as there were few cycle paths and they were so infrequently utilized that vehicles and delivery trucks took advantage of them to restrict them. With designated bike lanes all over the city, it may feel safer from cars, yet there are more bike riders — particularly first-time bikers — than ever. As of June 2021, it still feels a little turbulent as we get acquainted with one another.
Cars, buses, and scooters must still become accustomed to looking for bikes before making right turns. Bike riders must still learn to indicate when turning, passing, or stopping in front of a group of riders. There are electric scooters that drive in car lanes, cycle paths, and pedestrian walkways at different times. Presumably a year from now, we’ll all have settled into a regimen that, like the way Parisians drive, appears frightening on the outside, however, makes sense once you’re in the flow (though my Amsterdam friends say it’s highly probable that everyone will simply adjust to the upheaval).
Bike companies you could use
Velib Paris
Velib Paris may be for you if you want to bicycle from point A to point B in Paris. Paris was the very first large town to implement a free bike system throughout the city. The system, which began in 2007, has 20,000 bikes available for rent at 1,800 bike stations in Paris and 30 nearby cities. Velib Paris has an excellent website that will respond to just about any question you may have about using the system to rent a bike. The lease system was created to be as straightforward as possible. It is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and you can purchase a one-day or seven-day ticket online or at any Velib station.
A one-day ticket costs 1,70€, and a seven-day ticket costs 8€. The first 30 minutes of every rental are always complimentary. If you use the bicycle for an extended period of time, you will be charged based on the utilization fee routine: the first additional half hour is 1€, the second additional half hour is 2€, and the third additional half hour and more are 4€. Important: A 150€ deposit will be billed to your credit card for the duration of your ticket.
Velib Paris does not rent bicycle helmets and does not rent children’s bicycles. The bicycles are gender-neutral and suitable for people aged 14 and up.
Check out this bike tour in Paris: Fun tour in Paris
Paris Bike Company
American-owned and operated If you want to rent a road bike in the city, Sam Weaver at Paris Bike Company is the place to go. Only high-quality road bikes, such as Cannondale, are available for rent. If you bring your own bike to Paris, Sam offers high-quality service, assembly and disassembly and packing. Rates start at 50€ for the first day and 30€ per day for days 2-7. Numerous tour packages, particularly that outside of Paris, are of specific interest here. There are self-guided choices with bicycle and GPS leases for those who want to explore by themselves. There are also personalized travel facilities available. The website contains information on each of these choices.
Read more on; Top 10 Paris Bike Rental Locations
Enjoy the best of Paris in this Best of Paris by Bike Tour.
Fat Tire Bike Tours
Fat Tire Bike Tours provides some of the most widely known guided bike trips in Paris, such as trips to Giverny and Versailles, which are priced at 80€ and 90€, respectively. The bundle fee covers both bicycle rental and enrolment.
Paris Bike Tour
Paris Bike Tour rents normal city bikes for 15€ for 8 hours and 20€ for 24 hours, with delivery offered upon request. Bookings are necessary. In addition, the company provides numerous guided tours of Paris for 32€. Private tours can be arranged upon request. Helmets can be rented.
Paris a Velo c’est Sympa
Gotrax Teal Emerge Electric Bike. Photo by Gotrax- Unsplash
Paris a Velo c’est Sympa rents bicycles and provides a wide range of three-hour tours. The company leases e-bikes, city bicycles, and touring bicycles and is sited near the metro stations Saint-Sebastien-Froissart (line 8) and Richard-Lenoir (line 5). Prices for a city bike ballpark from 12€/half day to 20€/half day for an e-bike. Tandems for adults and children are also available for 40-50€ per day. Helmet rentals are available.
There are several other tours available in Paris, check them out here.
