Peddle My Wheels in Paris

Just before Christmas, the Peddle My Wheels team embarked on an inspiring trip to Paris to explore and experience their world-renowned cycling infrastructure firsthand. 

Paris is leading the way with an incredible 60,000 bike parking spaces, cycling numbers doubling in the year up to March 2024, and an impressive 15% of journeys now completed by bike. Even more excitingly, the city isn’t stopping there—it’s pushing ahead to fully realise its bold and visionary plans for cycling!

We were lucky enough to dedicate our field trip to discovering Paris' latest innovations in cycling and walking infrastructure, ranging from groundbreaking major cycling routes prompted by COVID (Rue de Rivoli) to a second wave of cycling and walking measures put in place ahead of the Olympics (Trocadéro, Pont d’Iéna). Our native Parisian, Douglas Leroy, created a special route for us, acting as the best tour guide we could ask for.

Discover what we experienced, explore our route, and get inspired by the stunning scenery! Many crossovers can be made between Paris and London, and this trip set a standard for what we can hope for in the near future in London.

Peddle My Wheels is proud to participate in enabling it.

Voie Pompidou

Once a bustling expressway spanning 13 km from Place de la Concorde to Quai Henri-IV, the Voie Pompidou was initially part of the ambitious 1966 motorway plan, designed to let commuters traverse Paris in record time. Over the years, this space transformed radically. The western section remains a single-carriageway road for vehicles from the 16th arrondissement, with a segregated double cycle path. In contrast, the eastern section has been fully pedestrianised, a change that began as a temporary initiative in 1995 and became permanent in 2016.

The pedestrianisation aimed to diversify the use of the space, enhance its ecological value, and return the riverside to cyclists and pedestrians. Despite opposition from the regional government, whose data failed to justify halting the plan, the project went ahead, and the area was renamed Parc Rives-de-Seine. Today, this vibrant park features workout facilities, leisure areas, relaxing spaces, and plenty of cafés, attracting between 2 and 3 million cyclists annually, including 2.5 million in 2021 alone.

Pont d’Iéna

Pont d’Iéna, a historic bridge connecting the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro, was permanently pedestrianised as part of the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics legacy. Initially closed to accommodate the large crowds during the event, the area has remained mostly car-free, with access limited to taxis, buses, and emergency vehicles.

The move aims to enhance tourist safety and create a more enjoyable experience for the 50,000 daily visitors. It is part of a larger vision to make the area between the Eiffel Tower and Trocadéro car-free, supporting the city’s broader goal of achieving 50% greenery by 2030. Before its closure, Pont d’Iéna carried 50,000 vehicles daily, a number that has since dropped to zero.

Esplanade Trocadéro

With 20 million visitors annually, the Trocadéro/Iéna area underwent significant upgrades as part of preparations for the Olympics, including enhanced greenery and improved visitor amenities. These changes, initially temporary, were made permanent after the event, enriching the overall experience for tourists and locals alike.

Rue de Rivoli

Rue de Rivoli’s transformation began during the COVID-19 pandemic with the introduction of "corona pistes"—temporary cycle lanes—that were later made permanent. This shift resulted in a 60% increase in cyclists, with 20,000 riding daily. Retail and business activity has flourished thanks to increased foot and cycling traffic, with vacancy rates at just 5.3% compared to 10% in other areas.

The 3 km stretch between Place de la Concorde and Hôtel de Ville, which extends to Place de la Bastille, now limits traffic to emergency vehicles, buses, and taxis. Before the pandemic, 43,000 cars passed through daily—a stark contrast to today’s cyclist-friendly boulevard.

Place de la Bastille

The partial pedestrianisation of Place de la Bastille, completed in 2019, has turned 70% of the square into a 1.1-hectare public space. The number of car lanes was reduced from seven to three, resulting in a 40% drop in vehicular traffic.

Today, the plaza hosts events, gatherings, and cultural activities, reflecting its historical significance as a symbol of the French Revolution. Before the transformation, 75,000 vehicles crossed the square daily. Since the redesign, traffic has decreased by 30–50%, creating a more dynamic and accessible space for Parisians and visitors.

If you're eager to learn more, plan an unforgettable team-building day, or simply need an excuse to visit Paris, take our word for it— it’s guaranteed to be an uplifting, inspiring, and unforgettable experience. Use our route to enjoy it for yourself!