The Ministry of Ecological Transition has planned Wednesday a plan of 20 million euros to facilitate the practice of cycling out of confinement, to avoid a massive transfer of public transport on the car.
"We want this period to take a step forward in cycling culture, and that the bicycle is the little queen of deconfinement in a way," said Minister Elisabeth Borne, in an interview with the Parisian . The practice of cycling to get around everyday is lagging behind in France compared with other countries, when 60% of "journeys made in France in normal times are less than 5 kilometers", according to the ministry.
The 20 million euro fund will make it possible to "take charge of repairs, the installation of parking spaces or training", specifies the ministry. The plan will be implemented in partnership with the Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB). It includes a fixed price of 50 euros for the repair of a bicycle (change of chain, brake, tire, derailleur…) within a referenced network of repairers ”, which will be listed on the FUB website and a dedicated platform. There are 30 million used bikes in France.
"Training in the recovery of a bike with confidence"
The creation of temporary parking spaces for bicycles will also be funded, as well as “training in the recovery of a confident bike, provided free of charge”. The application decree in the private sector for the implementation of the sustainable mobility package, which can go up to 400 euros, will be taken "as quickly as possible".
Cities and departments are planning to set up cycle paths and temporary pedestrian facilities. To support communities in this process, the ministry offers them technical support and the exemption of prior authorizations, "in particular from Architects of Buildings of France".
"The local investment support endowment fund (DSIL) is mobilized by the prefects to co-finance temporary cycle paths on a case-by-case basis with local authorities that do not have sufficient resources", specifies the ministry. The government also calls for keeping "the greenways accessible when the conditions for opening up for cyclists are met there". And he recalls that the sale and repair of bicycles is authorized during confinement.
- Society