Have the people of Montpellier really taken to cycling?

A cyclist on a new mixed route open to bicycles and buses -

• In Montpellier, getting on a bike has been more than tempting in recent months.

• Several residents indicate that they have invested or plan to invest in an electric bicycle, thanks to the aid.

  But also because the cycle paths are multiplying.

• The increase in the number of cyclists can be read in particular on the totem pole, in Albert-1er, which has been counting every day, since March 12, all the bicycles that pass by there.

Have the people of Montpellier got down to cycling?

With the proliferation of cycle paths, monster traffic jams at rush hour, the boom, since 2018, in long-term parking prices, or, more recently, community aid to buy an electric bike, fall for a bicycle. turns out to be more than tempting in Montpellier (Hérault).

 has collected testimonials from readers, who have chosen in recent months to ride (or not) by bike.

Sandrine, who lives "10 km from Montpellier", invested in a folding electric bicycle in the spring.

Since then, she says, “I park in an area where parking is free, and cycle downtown.

Before, I took the car, then the tram.

"But, she continues," I no longer wanted to take public transport, in which there are too many people at rush hour.

Hélène lives 9 km from the Ecusson.

In deconfinement, she too invested in an electric bicycle, "without financial assistance".

"But since the days are getting shorter, I take the tram, even if the promiscuity with the other passengers worries me", she underlines.

"Without help", Alexandre would never have considered investing in an electric bicycle

Gwen has always ridden a bicycle "for fun".

But in recent weeks, she has been more assiduous.

“As there is a lot of traffic, and bike paths have been created, I decided to drop off and pick up my children from school by bike, in the morning and in the evening,” confides this mother.

But the tracks are still a pain.

People did not understand that they were reserved for cyclists.

Scooters borrow them, sometimes against the grain.

Cars park there.

"It's sometimes dangerous, assures the Montpellier, who has" already been overthrown in the first week ".

A bicycle in Montpellier.

- N. Bonzom / Maxele Presse

Alexandre has recently started “100%” on the bike.

Because it is "ecological", he says, but also because it is much faster than the car or the tram for his daily journeys.

"And with the new tracks, it drives really well, and it's very secure," assures this doctor.

It also allows you to do daily physical activity, for your health, that's very good.

"And then, adds Alexandre, the bicycle does not cost" neither gasoline nor tram ticket ".

The Montpelliérain has also planned to take advantage of the aid offered by the metropolis, the department or the region, to buy an electric bike.

"Without the help, I would not have considered it," he continues.

"The car is banned"

Anne has also decided, with the help of local authorities, to invest in an electric bike.

"It was really the 500 euros from the metropolis that decided me," she says.

I discovered the other helpers afterwards.

In all, I am entitled to 950 euros.

This Montpellier, who has promised to leave her car in the garage a little more than before, also starts cycling "to do daily physical exercise".

“Even with electric assistance, it seems that is the case, we'll see!

», She notes.

And then, too, a bicycle, she says, is savings, and less pollution.

Erik, him, "would have well invested in a durable bicycle".

But he did not take the leap.

“The car has been banned since the size of cycle paths has become immeasurable,” he sighs.

In Montpellier, the Vélocité association, which fights alongside cyclists, has been measuring the boom in the number of bicycles for months.

“There are more and more practitioners, we can see it very well in the street, and the bicycle hoops are more and more full, notes Nicolas Le Moigne, of the Vélocité association, which launched the platform. Everyone by bike, to understand the expectations of cyclists from Montpellier in terms of infrastructure.

“We also feel it at the level of associative synergy: Vélocité had a hundred members two years ago, they are now more than 1,000, continues the activist.

We can also see it at bicycle dealers, which are out of stock!

"

With confinement 😷, the # Tousà Vélo event takes on a new form.

🔸 What does cycling mean to you?

🔸What are your dreams for cycling?

🔸Contribute in numbers with your testimonials!

📝 https://t.co/mWLbjbXK0k#Tousà Vélo

- Velocity Montpellier (@VelociteMtp) November 4, 2020

The boom in the number of cyclists can be read on the totem pole in Albert-1er

The increase in the number of bicycles can be seen in particular on the counting totem, which is located in Albert-1er.

This panel, lined with sensors, keeps in memory, since March 12, the bikes that pass on the bike path where it is installed.

Thus, on the first day, before the first containment was established, the totem had counted 1,536 bikes during the day.

In the spring, due to the first wave of the epidemic, the number fell, but rose sharply at the start of the school year: on September 7, the totem numbered 2,249 bikes, then 2,629 on September 15.

In reality, continues Nicolas Le Moigne, they would be much more.

“Many bicycles that pass Albert-1er are not counted by the totem, because they pass on the sidewalk or on the road,” he continues.

From my vantage point, I see things!

🧐 For example, all these 🚶🏻‍♀️🚶🏻‍♂️, people in 🚲 or in 🛴, who wait a long time in the rain 🌧️ for the fire 🚦 finally red for the 🚗, to be able to cross ... https: // t.co/9UlvOrw2Jk

- TotemAlbert1er (@ TotemAlbert1er) October 23, 2020

Other residents, on the other hand, have not let go of their cars and have no plans to invest in a bicycle.

This is the case with Geraldine, who remains faithful to her car, much more suited to her daily life than a bicycle, she says.

"I live outside the city, and children to drop off on the right and on the left before going to work," says Héraultaise.

So on a bicycle, he said to himself, it would be a lot less practical.

Thefts, a scourge in Montpellier

But there is another thing that hinders some residents from cycling: theft.

In 2019, according to figures communicated by the police to

, 1,262 thefts of bicycles were noted, and 27 elucidated.

To these are added 150 thefts of electric bicycles, only two of which have been elucidated.

But this is undoubtedly only part of the reality: many people from Montpellier never file a complaint.

According to the latest Cycle Towns Barometer, theft is one of the main problems encountered by users in Montpellier, far ahead of safety or the network of cycle paths.

"It is true that it made me hesitate a little before getting on the bike," Gwen notes.

But I invested in two anti-theft devices, one U and one traditional.

"

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