A cyclist with a mask on the Corniche -

NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP

  • A political standoff is taking place between the town hall of Marseille and the metropolis for the development of cycling.

  • In the midst of a health crisis, the city of Marseille has indeed a handful of coronapists.

  • The question will be addressed this Monday during the city council.

A project for a cycle path between the Canebière and the Corniche, whose consultation, which ends on October 12, is widely distributed by the town hall of 1-7, newly led by the left.

A letter made public from the mayor of Marseille EELV Michèle Rubirola to her former rival LR in the municipal elections, Martine Vassal, president of the metropolis, in which the city councilor asks for the emergency deployment of coronapistes, while only half a dozen kilometers has been traced for the time being in a city on maximum alert, against about fifty in Marseille or Paris.

And now, a vitriolic report, presented this Monday to the city council, in which the town hall of Marseille regrets the transport policy developed by the metropolis and calls for a series of measures, in particular in favor of cycling.

For a month, in a new context of cohabitation between left and right in the city designated for several years the least cyclable in France, this subject has been the subject of a real political showdown between the town hall, led by an environmentalist, and the metropolis, which has real jurisdiction over these questions.

Who would ride their child on this cycling infrastructure?

pic.twitter.com/fQI1CO2RfN

- Seen On Mars (@VuMars) October 1, 2020

"The draft urban travel plan which dates from last year must be submitted for the opinion of the city of Marseille, it is the law, justifies Audrey Gatian, assistant in charge of the policy of the city and the mobility.

The former municipality had not issued an opinion and the metropolis asked us to do so.

"

An increase of 30%

However, for the deputy mayor, “in the urban travel project, the development of cycling is very vague, and that worries us a little, especially in view of the current context.

With the health crisis, there is an emergency and what is done is not enough.

However, I am convinced that it is possible to create new cycle paths quickly, like what has been done elsewhere.

It is a question of political will.

There is a real demand that must be met.

"

A recent study carried out by the urban planning agency of the Marseille agglomeration and the Marseille collective Vélos en ville shows that between June 2019 and June 2020, the practice of cycling has experienced an exponential increase of 30%, image of national growth.

At the same time, the RTM said it recorded a drop in attendance of around 25% at the start of the school year.

"We must catch up"

"We see that the few coronapistes that have been traced are widely used, like the one on the Canebière," notes Cyril Pimentel, president of Vélos en Ville.

There is a real demand, we have to catch up, with transitional arrangements and real cycle paths.

We must strike hard!

However, for the moment, some in the metropolis are blocking.

"

In the report presented to the municipal council, the city of Marseille calls in particular for the end of cycle paths on Marseille sidewalks, which are still widespread.

“It generates conflicts of use with pedestrians, and that is really not possible!

», Annoys Audrey Gatian.

The city also asks the metropolis to generalize bicycle parking in Marseille, and submits the ratification of a bicycle charter which provides in particular for giving way to cyclists at traffic lights.

The metropolis returns the ball

Contacted, the metropolis ensures that coronapists "are subject to regular examinations with regard to their attendance, the comfort of use offered and the aging of the equipment deployed.

"And tackle the city:" Nevertheless, on some of them, problems linked to illegal parking are observed.

It is up to the municipal police to ensure the proper use of these tracks.

"

The metropolis claims to want to deplore Marseille “real cycling corridors by eliminating parking on the sidewalk.

"Finally, on the question of" give way cyclist "to traffic lights in Marseille, the metropolis says it is awaiting a" working meeting with the city which alone has the competence to modify traffic stops.

In addition, the Marseille-Provence Territory Council is ready to study the proposal to deploy them as long as they do not prove to be dangerous.

"

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A long-term electric bike rental service 

The metropolis will launch a long-term rental service for 2,000 electric bicycles.

Called “levelo +”, this service will be available by 20121, but reservations will open on Monday. 

  • Michele Rubirola

  • Martine Vassal

  • Marseilles

  • Public transport

  • Coronavirus

  • Bike