- While many city dwellers want to take out their bikes for their daily journeys, getting around the city center can sometimes be tricky.
- Roundabout, doors, tram ... We have learned to cope with all the pitfalls that we may encounter on our way.
"When nobody is there, it's okay ... But in the middle of the noise, the big cars, and the signs all over the place, I panic!" Claudine, 61, needs to be "reassured". While many city dwellers want to bring out their bikes for their daily journeys, getting around the city center can sometimes be tricky… To review the basics before setting off, “back in the saddle” courses have been offered free of charge since the deconfinement. all over France. In Nantes, we were able to follow one of these two-hour lessons, taught by the association Place au vélo.
Above all, we do not mess with the settings. The pupil of the day did not start off very well: his bell, however compulsory, is broken and his tires are almost flat ... "They must be inflated every fortnight," recommends Laurent Chailloy, trainer at Place au vélo. Otherwise, you are going to have a risk of puncture, have trouble keeping your direction, and you will get tired. »After a little pump and having put on your yellow vest (recommended but not compulsory in town), we can start.
Risk number 1: the haulage
After a first glue (yes, cyclists have the right to circulate at low speed on a pedestrian zone) comes the first fright. " Warning ! »Rue des Hauts-Pavés, we avoid just in time a door that opens in front of us. "The haulage is one of the most important risks in town," agrees Laurent Chailloy. The trick is not to follow the small pictograms often placed too far to the right, but to roll more in the middle of the road to protect yourself. In fact, a 2015 decree authorizes us to do this when we pass by parked vehicles. Too bad if there are people behind, you have to take your place. "
In the same style, we learn that most of the time, cyclists are not obliged to take the bike path. This is the meaning of these small blue and square panels (unlike the round ones), which we come across everywhere during our journey. But this is not a reason to go coasting ... "There is no question of going up on the right a line of stopped cars, illustrates Laurent Chailloy. Riding on a sidewalk is completely prohibited, unless you go down and push your bike by hand ”.
Roundabouts and tram tracks, beware of danger
At the handlebars of her black VTC, Claudine is surprised by the majority of these rules. “The license, for me, was a long time ago! "Laughs the one who no longer has a car. But no time to chat, it's time to rub shoulders with one of the (many) Nantes roundabouts. The technique is to place yourself in the middle, just to be seen and not to cut the road to others. With the arms, we indicate the direction we are taking. And above all, we do not hesitate.
A little further, another difficulty: a tram track to cross. "As with curbs or rails, especially when it is wet, there is a real risk of falling," confirms Laurent Chailloy. To limit the danger, it must be taken perpendicularly. And in particular at the Poitou stop, sadly known for crystallizing a lot of accidents… With this advice, it goes without saying. "I admit that I followed you without looking at whether a tram was arriving," smiles Claudine to her teacher, once on the other side.
"Not legitimate by bicycle"
Before returning by a quieter area, taking advantage of the pleasant little wind, we also come across a lot of signs "give way to the cyclist": this triangle indicates that we can continue (usually to turn right) without marking the stop even if it is red. A "novelty" of the Highway Code considered very practical but which tends to bristle certain motorists or arouse the incomprehension of novice cyclists ...
"Until now, I didn't feel legitimate on a bike, I never felt like I was in the right place," concedes Claudine, who did not do too badly during this 5 km loop. Now it's up to me to keep practicing! "
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In Nantes, these free sessions (2 hours) take place on Wednesday evening and Friday morning from the Place au vélo association (Viarme district). Individually or in groups of two or three. Registration on coupdepoucevelo.fr
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