Change in bicycle use in France 2019-2020, by city size
COVID-19, a springboard for cycling?
The COVID-19 epidemic has led to the implementation of social distancing measures in France and the bicycle is a means of transport that responds to these new constraints. Naturally, it is in cities where the population density is higher (such as Paris) that the most spectacular increase in bicycle use in France is taking place. Overall, it is in urban areas where cycling is making the most progress, with a 31 percent increase in 2020 (excluding the confinement period).Aware of this new craze and of the health issues at stake, the French government has released 50 euros in 2020 for each citizen to help get his or her bicycle back into working order. This state participation is not unique to France. That same year, many European countries such as Finland raised public funds to invest in cycling.