A government plan of 20 million euros to encourage the practice of cycling to deconfinement

In order to avoid deconfinement being synonymous with a massive increase in air pollution, the bicycle is promoted. The ministry of the ecological and united transition announced in particular, Wednesday, April 29, a plan endowed with 20 million euros to facilitate the practice of the bicycle and to avoid that the French prefer too much their car when they will be authorized to move to new, especially to get to work.

“We want this period to take a step forward in cycling culture, and that the bicycle is the little queen of deconfinement in a way”, ensured Elisabeth Borne, in an interview with Parisian.

Cycling to get around everyday is lagging behind in France compared with other countries, when 60% of “Journeys made in France in normal times are less than five kilometers”, observes the ministry.

The 20 million euro fund will take “In charge of repairs, installation of parking spaces or training”, specifies Elisabeth Borne.

The plan, implemented in partnership with the Federation of bicycle users (FUB), includes a 50 euro package for the repair of a bicycle (change of chain, brake, tire, derailleur, etc.) within ” a referenced network of repairers, which will be listed on the FUB website and on a dedicated platform. There are 30 million used bikes in France.

Exemption from prior authorizations for cycle paths

The creation of temporary parking spaces for bicycles will also be funded, as well as “Training in the recovery of a bike in confidence, provided free of charge”.

The application decree in the private sector for the implementation of the sustainable mobility package, which can amount to 400 euros, will be taken ” as quickly as possible “.

Cities and departments are also planning to set up cycle paths and temporary pedestrian facilities. To encourage communities in this process, the ministry offers them technical support and the exemption of prior authorizations, “In particular Architects of buildings in France”. “The local investment support endowment fund (DSIL) is mobilized by the prefects to co-finance temporary cycle paths on a case-by-case basis with local authorities who do not have sufficient resources”, specifies the ministry.

The government also invites to maintain “The greenways accessible when the opening conditions for cyclists are met there”. And he recalls that the sale and repair of bicycles is authorized during confinement.

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