A woman on a scooter in the Old Port of Marseille -
Christophe Simon / AFP
A road safety campaign has been launched in Marseille.
It aims to reduce accidents involving electric scooters and bicycles.
From the Old Port to Parc Borély, via La Canebière and the coastal beaches.
Since Wednesday, Road Safety has invested the four corners of Marseille, as part of a vast prevention campaign targeting electric scooters and self-service bicycles.
As winter time approaches, no less than 6,000 reflective bands will be distributed until next week on bicycles rented by the metropolis and on scooters from operator Bird, in order to make them more visible.
Against the backdrop of the hope of reducing the number of accidents involving scooters and bicycles in Marseille.
"We chose the city of Marseille, because here, as in other large cities in France, we see an increase in the use of urban bikes and scooters", explains Marie Gautier-Melleray, interministerial delegate for road safety .
With deconfinement, self-service two-wheelers are indeed meeting unprecedented success in Marseille.
“We see a 20% rental increase over the months of July and August compared to last year, in a summer when tourists were particularly numerous, it is true, abounds Yvon Luciani, director of the Levélo service.
And for the month of September, there is a 7% increase in rentals compared to last year ”.
"Everyone does anything"
However, this increase creates fears about the safety of cyclists and scooter users, in the city designated the least cyclable in France.
“In Marseille, cycling is no more dangerous than elsewhere, but it is true that it can be impressive, tries to smile Cyril Pimentel, president of the Marseille collective Vélos en Ville.
The thing is, here, everyone does anything.
Insecurity for bicycles is a truth everywhere in France, but perhaps more in Marseille than elsewhere, given the more than cavalier behavior of certain motorists who do not respect, for example, overtaking distances.
We can see it on the back alleys of the Prado, they wait two seconds "
And to recall: “Accidents are rarely caused by the cyclists themselves.
We should rather pay attention to incivilities committed by the most dangerous modes of transport, such as cars or trucks!
"" The distribution of these reflective bands is only part of the campaign, recalls Marie Gautier-Melleray.
As a whole, this campaign aims to address all road users, asking cyclists to equip themselves for their own safety, but also motorists, who must pay attention to these vulnerable users.
The month of July in France was the deadliest for cyclists in ten years, with 29 deaths.
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Marseilles
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Accident
Road safety
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