On July 23, 2020, the Metropolitan Council voted on the Bicycle Plan 2021-2026. A plan validated and supported by the State as part of the recovery plan and ecological transition.
“The Metropolitan Bicycle Action Plan aims to strongly accelerate the cycling policy of the territory through the creation of infrastructures, tracks, services, and suitable parking facilities that make daily use of bikes easier.
It intends to make people discover or rediscover the bicycle as an economical mode of transport, beneficial for our environment and health. This action plan builds another philosophy, another peaceful approach to our territory in the interest of all and for all.”
This plan was then presented last April by the city of Nice, its mayor Christian Estrosi, and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis. The objectives and action plan for the year 2021 were outlined.
In the metropolis, there are currently 179 km of bike lanes and paths, including 84 km in Nice. The goal outlined in the plan is to double this number of kilometers of tracks by 2026 and for the share of cycling trips to reach 10%. Tracks will be created as early as this year, and several communes in the metropolis will be linked together.
With this plan, the metropolis also wants to raise awareness of an efficient and ecological mode of transport. Therefore, the bicycle plan is fully integrated into the urban transport master plan 2040, but also in the climate plan which aims for the decarbonization of transportation and a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030.
Results below expectations
Despite this ambitious project, which on paper makes all bike enthusiasts dream, the results are so far too unsatisfactory. At the beginning of September, the changes are still considered too limited: lack of tracks on main roads and major squares, lack of maintenance on those already installed.
Aside from material and practical changes, the change in philosophy and mentality that was announced is still not happening. Indeed, today, cyclists in the Côte d’Azur region still cannot feel free to move around, with total freedom and safety.
Strained relationship between motorists and cyclists and the improvements to be made
A few weeks ago, the assault of a cyclist by a motorist in Menton shocked people. Perhaps it highlighted the problems and violence faced daily by cyclists in Nice and the region.
Even though the assault in Menton is not typical, and fortunately so, this incident clearly shows that motorists are not ready to cede ground. We discussed this conflicting relationship between cyclists and motorists with Daniele, a member of the “Nice à Vélo” association.
This association, which officially came into being in 2019 but has existed as a collective since 2012, aims to make Nice and its living area a cyclist-friendly metropolis where moving around by bike is a normal, safe, and practical choice. It also seeks to work towards reducing the presence of thermal engine vehicles in the city and thereby improving air quality.
To that end, the association requests several things:
– Developing cycling infrastructures so that no one is afraid to ride a bike
– Installing secure bike parking at strategic points in the city (train and bus stations, universities… etc.)
– Developing a cycling culture. That is, raising awareness among the people of Nice about the use of the bike for trips of less than 3 km.
“We cannot generalize and we cannot talk about constant aggressiveness. But what we can say is that since the post-COVID cycling boom and the emergence of new bike paths, bicycle users finally feel entitled to demand more space and better infrastructures.
Obviously, this doesn’t please motorists who see their ‘leadership’ threatened. They probably don’t like it that on TV, we talk more about bikes than cars. Personally, I see it as a kind of jealousy on their part, because we are a very strong expression of freedom, we don’t know traffic jams, and we are not dependent on diesel prices.”
This rejection and aggressiveness from some motorists can also form through several arguments used against bicycle users. These arguments mostly rely on false truths. Indeed, many condemn and reprimand the behavior of cyclists on several points.
“They accuse us of running red lights by making a generalization error, while many of us respect them, and when they don’t, it’s always safely.
We wouldn’t cross a road on a red light if we weren’t sure of what we’re doing; we know very well that in the event of an accident, we’re the ones who would suffer the worst.
Besides, the Highway Code states that bicycles can ‘run’ red lights, it’s simply a ‘yield’.”
Several daily bike users have experienced verbal or physical aggression from motorists and even pedestrians. Few cases are actually reported (few complaints, no reports…), with most victims preferring not to respond or take action to punish these acts of violence.
“Fortunately, we have not yet seen similar assaults, but it could easily happen. It just takes one cyclist to respond to insults and the situation could quickly deteriorate. Personally, I often have my path deliberately cut off, and at worst I am insulted, but that’s about it. In any case, daily users all agree that it’s not very pleasant to ride in the city of Nice. The difference between other cities and countries is quite shocking.”
Several districts and major squares in the city of Nice are crossed daily by cyclists. Places that sometimes need to be used for necessary daily trips (Place Masséna, Jean Médecin… etc.). Yet, there’s a noticeable lack of bike paths or areas dedicated to cyclists’ circulation. A dedicated space for cyclists on this major axis could change a lot of things.
“In the association, we all agree on this subject: Nice needs more secure lanes, especially on main roads with a lot of passage.
The only existing path of this type is that of the Promenade, which was extended after the first lockdown up to Place de l’Île de Beauté.
Another useful measure could be the 30 km/h zone. We already have several such zones in Nice, but nobody respects the maximum speed, and they are poorly signposted. No one knows, for example, that in a 30 zone, bikes are allowed to ride against the traffic.
We also note a significant lack of signs and road markings; in Nice, we have bike lanes that have almost disappeared because they are not maintained at all.”
Change will take time
The tense climate between motorists and cyclists can therefore be explained by a lack of knowledge among motorists. Cyclists’ rights are not very well known to other drivers. This can lead to misunderstandings and bad reactions (examples cited: yield and the right to go against traffic on 30 km/h lanes.)
Before motorists are ready to share the road, it will still take time and more thorough actions. Actions to create more significant infrastructures reserved for cyclists, but also to change mentalities by raising awareness of cyclists’ rights and road codes among motorists.
