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British cities should take heed of Paris cycling revolution, says Green Party

Patrick McDonnell
13 August 2015
 

A suite of measures designed to improve road safety and to encourage cycling in Paris should be emulated by British cities, UK environmental and some cycling campaigners suggested. 

Parisian cyclists can now straight ahead or right at traffic lights, even when the lights are red for cars. Signs erected in the French capital during the summer feature an upside down triangle, an arrow and a picture of a bicycle, indicating which direction cyclists can travel without stopping at a red light.

Paris’s Green deputy mayor, Christophe Najdoski, revealed the proposals in April as a means of speeding up cycling journey times across the French capital. The new rules and signs are part of the Paris Bike Plan 2015-2020, which will provide more than €150m (£107.3m) to improve cycling in the city by 2020.

Najdoski said that Paris has set itself “ambitious goals” to becoming a premium cycling city. The initiative would see a tripling of bike trips by 2020, with the share of cycle increasing from 5% to 15% of all journeys taken.

An extensive consultation with Parisian residents was run following discussions with town councils, districts and cycling associations. More than 7,000 replies were received from the cycle consultation process.

There are six objectives highlighted in The Paris Bike Plan:

  1. Encourage cycling in the capital as a preferred travel option by doubling the length of current cycle lanes, from 700km to 1,400km by 2020, the proposal also seeks the creation of a “fast cycling” network.
  2. Facilitate the creation of new routes in the heart of the capital, allowing residents and visitors to discover the diversity and richness of its neighbourhoods.
  3. Strengthen the safety and comfort for cyclists, with cycle facilities such as toilets and cycle storage, plus the development of new traffic regulations to encourage cycle use
  4. Promote the creation of more than 10,000 new parking spaces on roads around residential accommodation and parking storage facilities at rail/bus stations.
  5. Encourage a culture of cycling in the French capital by supporting cycling at schools, colleges and other education centres, also to help develop a network of cycle repair shops throughout Paris.
  6. Extend grant funding for the purchase of bikes, electric scooter, tricycles and cargo bikes.

The UK Green Party’s Caroline Russell, said of the Paris plan: “It’s great to see Paris so clearly ambitious to get more people travelling by bike. The new rules for cyclists, allowing people to go straight ahead at T-junctions or turn right (left in UK) on a red light, if the way is clear and no pedestrians are crossing, will make Paris more bike-friendly.

“This is not an alternative to redesigning our streets with safe cycle lanes, but it's a great interim measure that can be implemented quickly and so long as everyone is considerate of others, especially those walking, it could make a real difference.

“British cities should follow suit. There are huge benefits to public health from encouraging more journeys by bike. Not only does this reduce congestion, road danger, physical inactivity and air pollution but it also makes our cities better places to live and work.”

Specialist Transport Services Manager
Warrington Borough Council
Warrington
GRADE 13 (£58,797 - £63,735)
Specialist Transport Services Manager
Warrington Borough Council
Warrington
GRADE 13 (£58,797 - £63,735)
Specialist Transport Services Manager
Warrington Borough Council
Warrington
GRADE 13 (£58,797 - £63,735)
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