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The Government announces the halt of the Cycling Plan as part of budget cuts, as well as the reduction of the road safety budget. This choice has profound repercussions on sustainable mobility policies and on the safety of all cyclists. The budget allocated to cycling and walking infrastructure is now reduced to 100 million euros for 2025. This amount is insufficient to meet the growing needs for safe infrastructure. This corresponds to the creation of 500 kilometers of dedicated cycle paths for all of France. We are far from the ambition of making France the leading European cycling tourism destination.
Source: Press Release
While France is embarking on a mission against road violence, following recent tragedies, it is inconsistent to reduce funding for cycling infrastructure. The Cycling Plan aimed to create 100,000 kilometers of cycling infrastructure by 2030. Such a budget cut means the abandonment of 400 cycling projects. These future investments cannot be abandoned under the pretext of budget rationalization.
Reducing funding for cycling infrastructure: an inconsistency in the face of the commitment against road violence
The cancellation of the Cycling Plan is a decision contrary to climate issues and user safety. This decision comes at a time when the accident rate for vulnerable users is alarming. The French Cycling Tourism Federation warns of a serious mistake for the future. This Cycling Plan is crucial for transforming our lifestyles and addressing the challenges of climate change and public health. It must be accompanied by an acculturation to sharing public space among all users, with a policy in favor of the most vulnerable: pedestrians and cyclists. The reduction in the budget allocated to Road Safety is also a bad signal at a time when more and more of our fellow citizens are choosing cycling to go to work, do their shopping, and travel.
Cycling: a sustainable solution for health, the economy, and the planet
It is no longer necessary to demonstrate that cycling is the least polluting mode of transport for the planet. In addition to this recognized aspect, its practice has a positive impact on physical and mental health. 30 minutes of cycling per day reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 30%, which has the direct effect of substantial savings for Social Security.
The French Cycling Tourism Federation reiterates its strong commitment to educating new generations in the use of bicycles, supporting local authorities in developing infrastructure, and promoting territories that develop sustainable tourism.
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