Interesting article. (Which the Scottish government spends 98.1% of its money on transport that pollutes.)
https://www.fastcompany.com/3069004/the-mayor-of-pariss-quest-to-get-rid-of-cars
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Cycling News
Paris Mayor's Ambitious Plans To Create The Post-Car City
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Posted 8 years ago #
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Hidalgo says that she hasn’t tried to sell Parisians on the changes. “Marketing is not my way to do politics,” she says. “Instead of wasting time and energy trying to convince through an elaborate marketing campaign, I deliver real solutions that speak for themselves and benefit the people of Paris. And as a mayor of Paris, I am proud to deliver all my commitments to my people.”
When people experience each change, she thinks that they will be swayed. “Once every month we close the Champs-Élysées to traffic,” she says. “When you walk through the crowds of Parisians and tourists enjoying this iconic space, it removes any doubt that you might have that pedestrianization will benefit all, resulting in a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful Paris.”
Posted 8 years ago # -
Interesting stuff, but you need to understand the structure of that fine metropoli to get the full picture. Ms Hidalgo is mayor of Paris intra muros. Most 'Parisians' live in Paris extra muros. The suburbs are utterly car dependant, even with the extensive , inexpensive and generally good public transport.
I haven't attempted to cycle in the city centre since the days when that was seen as genuinely suicidal. I really must give it a go next time I'm there.
Posted 8 years ago # -
I rode out and in Paris in August? 2015 for Paris Brest Paris. It wasn't too bad and it was only afterwards that I learned Paris is supposed to be a nightmare for cyclists. I'm told PBP is run in the month when all Parisians go way on holiday, Phew!!
Posted 8 years ago # -
Sundays are good- cars are barred from large sections of the city centre
Posted 8 years ago # -
I've ridden a Velib round central Paris high on post-dinner Armagnac and found it a fantastic place to cycle. Up and down the Champs Elysee, round the Arc de Triomphe, across the Place de la Concorde. The only place I got honked at was passing through the Louvre and, fair play, I'd misjudged the line the road takes through the Place du Carousel and was entirely in the wrong.
I got the impression that the impetuous way folk drive over there and the paucity of road markings meant that drivers were alert at all times, so they saw cyclists as well as cars.
Posted 8 years ago # -
IWRATS,
I used to live in Paris, but don't see how the "outside the city" issue matters - particularly when it comes to closing central roads to cars.
In the end, if you want a low pollution city, then that's what you do. The ~8m people who come into the city each day will have to adjust.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@gibbo
The suburban fumes will come to the city center. Lots of journeys are between suburbs. I think this is great, I just wonder mow the mayors of the 'burbs will react/join in.
Posted 8 years ago # -
@IWRATS
If fewer people are driving into Paris, then there'll be less driving = less suburban fumes.
If the principle is that more roads = more driving. Fewer roads for cars should = less driving.
As for the other mayors, they should maybe look into park and rides.
It really depends on how far they are from Paris. I've been to a few towns that are adjacent to Paris and they all had good public transport links to the city.
But I'd imagine those get less good as you get further out.
Posted 8 years ago # -
Oh, and while I'm at it I just remembered that I can take full credit for all of these developments as I participated in what was, we thought, the first ever pro-cycling demonstration in Paris using the catchy slogans 'Eteignez...le moteur...respirez l'air sans odeur!' and Vélo, dodo, bistrot!.
Posted 8 years ago #
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