I remember my first time in October 2005: discovering this monumental city with that exhilarating feeling of freedom that cycling gives us. I was exploring Paris on two wheels, weaving between cars and buses. I also remember the launch of Vélib’ in July 2007 and the atmosphere it brought. Before smartphones arrived, we used paper maps to find the stations. Sometimes you’d stumble upon an empty or full station and had to ask for directions. Suddenly, the bicycle became a connection between people in the city — but also a tool that linked people TO the city.
Since that time, Paris has continued to evolve, and I was able to witness its transformation firsthand during my recent visit in late February when I was invited by the FUB to participate in their congress. The FUB (Fédération des Usagers de la Bicyclette) is a French association created in 1980 that promotes cycling as an everyday means of transportation. Today, it brings together over 500 local associations across France, all working to improve cycling conditions. In recent years, under the leadership of outgoing president Olivier Schneider, the FUB has done remarkable work by implementing a series of ambitious programs to promote cycling. Their work is an inspiration for us at Vélo Québec.
For nearly twenty years, Paris has been developing cycling infrastructure to make it accessible to as many people as possible. But the past seven years have seen a true acceleration. Personally, I hadn’t ridden in Paris for five years. I must say I was amazed by the quantity and quality of the cycling infrastructure. Streets where cycling was once difficult, like Lafayette, are now pleasant and efficient. I didn’t even recognize Saint-Michel; it was so enjoyable to ride there. The intersection of Bonne-Nouvelle and Sébastopol streets has become a breeze to navigate.
The most surprising change for me was the disappearance of the massive roundabout at Place de la Catalogne. Today, this once noisy and stressful space has been transformed into a vast pedestrian square adorned with 470 trees. Absolutely magnificent.
I particularly appreciated the new bike streets in commercial zones. Created with the goal of completely eliminating through traffic, they offer a wonderfully pleasant living environment. The end of automobile transit allows shops to open up toward the street. The atmosphere is completely transformed.
But what touched me most was seeing Parisians of all ages choosing to travel by bike. Even in February, even in the rain. I saw hurried students, workers in suits, parents accompanying their children, and older people peacefully enjoying their bike rides. This diversity moved me because it is the true sign of a city that has successfully transformed its approach to mobility. At the moment I saw an elderly lady firmly confronting a delivery driver parked illegally on the bike path, I realized that Paris had truly become a city of cyclists.
One can see remarkable pragmatism and creativity in the new infrastructure. The facilities built in 2023 and 2024 are even better than those of 2019. The vision is clear, and the City of Paris is advancing without compromise despite criticism. And the results are fabulous: improved air quality, reduced noise, and fewer collisions. Today, more people travel by bike than by car in Paris.
With humility and courage, the City of Paris has achieved what everyone believed was impossible: transforming Paris into a great cycling city. No one believed it could happen, but Paris did it. Paris shows us that even the wildest urban dreams can become reality. As the next municipal elections approach in Quebec, who will embody a similar vision to transform their city?
Jean-François Rheault
President and CEO, Vélo Québec