More French people on bikes during deconfinement? It is the wish of the government. The Ministry of Ecological Transition has planned, Wednesday, April 29, a plan of 20 million euros to facilitate the practice of cycling, 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", assured 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 five kilometers", according to the ministry.

50 euros to repair a bike

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, etc.) 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.

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".

More cycle paths

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 opening conditions for cyclists are met there". And he recalls that the sale and repair of bicycles is authorized during confinement.

With AFP

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