In the Wake of the Tour de France: Cycling Journeys Amidst the French Republic After COVID-19
France is experiencing a cycling revolution, with the government implementing measures to incentivize bicycle usage and promote it as a mode of transport. This shift is evident in the "Coup de Pouce Vélo" plan, a comprehensive initiative launched by the French Ministry of Ecological and Solidarity Transition.
The plan, spearheaded by the newly appointed Prime Minister Jean Castex, offers financial incentives to both employers and employees who choose to commute by bike. Companies can pay up to 400 € in tax and social exemptions to their employees who cycle to work, while employers who encourage staff to commute by bike can receive a maximum of 200 €.
The plan also aims to boost cycle tourism, create more bike-to-school programs for children, and improve intermodality, which involves seamless integration between different modes of transport. Additionally, there are financial aids to buy electric bikes.
The resurgence of cycling in France is not a recent phenomenon. In late 2017, the government announced its first plan dedicated entirely to the bicycle, aiming to triple the rate of daily commutes taken on two wheels. Since then, bike use in Paris has increased substantially, and over 200,000 French residents have used the "Coup de pouce Vélo" in the first six weeks of the program.
The Covid-19 crisis has further accelerated this trend. Many commuters began cycling during the longest public transit strikes in French history, lasting for almost two months in December 2019 and January 2020. After the strikes, many kept their new habit, contributing to a resurgence of cycling.
France is currently at the top of the European Cyclist Federation's interactive dashboard "Cycling beyond the crisis: Covid-19 measures tracker". This is a testament to the country's commitment to promoting cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transport.
To combat bike theft, a mandatory identification engraving system for new bikes has been introduced, and there is an obligation to include bicycle-parking facilities for new buildings.
The recent local elections in France showed significant gains for political figures and groups aligned with environmental and sustainable mobility policies. Prominent politicians include leaders within the French Greens and local progressive coalitions that increased their influence in several municipalities during the 2025 local elections.
This shift towards cycling is not a new development. In 2015, an Action Plan for Active Mobility was announced, aiming to increase bike usage and walking. The plan offers financial aid of up to 50 € per bike for repairs, public bike lessons, and subsidies for building new bike parking.
Three new bike lanes have been erected in Paris, following the three major metro lines. However, despite these efforts, the 50 million € per year bike plan fund falls short of what NGOs and the French Climate Convention demanded.
In conclusion, France is making strides in promoting cycling as a sustainable and healthy mode of transport. The "Coup de Pouce Vélo" plan, coupled with the commitment of political figures and the public, promises a future where two-wheeled mobility becomes a norm in France.
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