The Government will invest 2,000 million euros over the next four years in France to develop cycling, infrastructure and the economic sector, it announced Thursday when presenting its 2023-2027 cycling and active mobility plan. .
In total, more than 6,000 million euros will be invested until 2027 if local authorities are taken into account, indicates the press dossier released the day before the presentation of the plan by the ministers for Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu, and for Transport , Clement Beaune. .
The Government is planning a whole series of measures to promote the practice of two wheels, starting with the development of cycle lanes and lanes reserved for bicycles.
Development of cycling routes.
In 2023, the State already plans to invest 200 million euros in infrastructure. This effort will continue until 2027 with the extension of aid.
“For the duration of the plan, the active mobility fund will be made permanent to the tune of 1.25 billion euros, or 250 million euros per year to accelerate the development of cycling facilities across France,” the press release specifies.
The government also wants to promote the development of cycle routes, popular with cyclists, through state and regional plan contracts.
There are currently 57,000 km of safe cycle paths in the territory. “The goal is to reach 80,000 km in 2027 and 100,000 km in 2030,” says the Government.
State aid for the purchase of bicycles will be extended until the end of the bicycle plan in 2027. This aid will also be open to the purchase of second-hand bicycles resold by professionals.
Changes to the highway code will also be tested to improve the circulation of bicycles.
Mobility package increase
“It is proposed to install running boards at the edge of the road to allow cyclists to stop at traffic lights without having to dismount,” the press release states.
A green light delay for cyclists will also be tested at locations to “allow cyclists to evacuate the airlock and regain sufficient speed before the departure of other vehicles.”
The use of the bicycle to go to work will also be supported by increasing the sustainable mobility package for public service from 200 to 300 euros.
“The State aims to have 100% of its sites equipped with secure bike parking by 2027,” the statement added.
Finally, the State wants to support the bicycle production sector in France with the aim of exceeding 1.4 million bicycles produced in 2027 compared to 854,000 in 2022.
Source: BFM TV
