French municipalities implement cycling initiatives

Various French municipalities are advancing local mobility plans to promote cycling and sustainable transport.

In Vandœuvre, the city has introduced a financial aid program under its ‘Plan Vélo’. The initiative offers subsidies for purchasing electric-assist bicycles, converting traditional bicycles to electric models, or buying specialized bicycles, such as cargo or disability-adapted models. Eligibility is based on residency, age, and tax reference income. These municipal funds may be combined with existing state and Grand Est regional aid.

In Hyères, Mayor Véronique Bernardini has launched a cycling plan aimed at increasing active mobility from 2.5% in 2022 to 8% by 2035. A major component of this plan is a €3.5 million project to create a bidirectional cycle path along Avenue Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire. This new infrastructure is intended to connect the lower city center with the Espace 3 000 area, the station district, and the multimodal hub, facilitating access to the port and beaches. Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with the path becoming operational in early 2028.