As the March 2026 municipal elections approach, the Nice à Vélo association has published a website dedicated to candidates’ positions on active mobility. The tool makes it possible to compare commitments around thirty measures related to cycling, road safety and the organization of travel in the metropolitan area.
A few months before the municipal election, the Nice à Vélo association wishes to shed light on the debate on active mobility. The organization is launching an analysis website dedicated to candidates’ positions on the development of cycling in the metropolitan area.
The initiative is based on a questionnaire entitled “A Cyclable Metropolitan Area in 2030, Safe and Accessible to All”. Campaign teams were invited to comment on thirty proposals concerning the development of public space, safety, services related to cycling and the governance of mobility policies.
Each proposal gives rise to a precise positioning. Three categories are used: full commitment, partial commitment or opposition. This system makes it possible to establish a score out of 30. The website then offers a detailed file for each candidate with the overall score appearing at the top and an analysis. A summary table also allows you to view positions on each of the measures.
Nice à Vélo explains that it wishes to provide transparent and contextualized information in order to allow voters to compare the orientations proposed for the coming years.
Thirty proposals around safety and the cycling network
The measures analyzed cover several areas. A first set concerns safety and traffic calming. The association notably mentions the objective of generalizing 30 km/h zones in neighborhoods by 2030. The proposals also include the creation of school streets where possible, in order to calm traffic around schools.
Other measures concern coexistence between different road users. Nice à Vélo proposes, for example, the creation of a Street Code to clarify traffic rules. The association also mentions the “Vision Zero” objective, which aims to achieve zero deaths and zero serious injuries on roads.
The questionnaire also addresses the development of a structured cycling network. The creation of an Express Bike Network at the metropolitan scale is among the proposals. The measures also concern the continuity of cycling routes, the securing of major roads and the improvement of intersections for pedestrians and cyclists.
Services related to cycling constitute another aspect. The association mentions the development of long-term rentals, improved signage and the integration of cycling into public transport passenger information. The question of intermodality also appears. Some proposals concern carrying bikes on trams under certain conditions or installing racks on certain bus lines to the mid and high country.
The questionnaire finally addresses the promotion of a cycling culture. The generalization of the Learn to Ride a Bike program in schools is among the measures. The development of bike learning for adults and training of public officials in road sharing also appear in the proposals.
Gaps between Nice’s candidates
In Nice, several candidates have responded to the association’s proposals. The scores obtained vary according to the positions expressed.
Juliette Chesnel-Le Roux obtains a score of 29.5 out of 30. The answers reflect strong support for Nice à Vélo’s proposals. The commitments focus notably on traffic calming, securing major roads and ensuring the continuity of cycling routes. The program also includes a plan to develop active mobility, with reinforced facilities and guaranteed continuity of cycling and pedestrian routes between neighborhoods and the city center. The candidate also mentions a redesign of the bike-sharing service to make it more accessible as well as the implementation of a long-term rental system with a purchase option. Pedestrianization of areas around schools and securing home-to-school routes are also among the priorities.
Mireille Damiano achieves the maximum score with 30 out of 30. The candidate is committed to all the measures proposed by the association. The project presented notably aims to increase the modal share of cycling to 12% by 2032, compared to 2-3% today. The commitments include the creation of a structured and continuous cycling network on major roads as well as the elimination of dangerous spots. The generalization of 30 km/h zones and the pedestrianization of areas around schools are also part of the priorities. The project provides for the creation of 20,000 bike parking spaces, of which 10,000 are secure, as well as equipment at tram stations and train stations. The candidate also mentions the development of a public bike-sharing service and the creation of a long-term rental service.
Christian Estrosi obtains a score of 22.5 out of 30. The incumbent mayor highlights the record of the 2021-2026 Bike Plan. Christian Estrosi mentions “70 additional kilometers completed [at metropolitan level] and increased usage”. The Nice à Vélo citizen observatory counts for its part 29.2 additional kilometers in Nice. For the next term, Christian Estrosi prioritizes connecting and securing the existing network. The program also mentions strengthened bike learning and purchasing aid for young people. However, the candidate opposes two-way cycle lanes, although these facilities are provided by default on roads limited to 30 km/h or less by the Highway Code since 2008. Christian Estrosi also opposes carrying bikes on trams and buses, citing capacity and safety constraints.
Éric Ciotti obtains a score of 20.5 out of 30. The answers reflect limited support for some proposals. The candidate does not fully commit to the creation of a metropolitan Express Bike Network. The project notably mentions the development of “blue corridors” along the Paillon and Var rivers, with bidirectional paths. A study to revive the Vélo Bleu service and a project to “reconfigure and secure the Promenade” are also among the priorities. However, Éric Ciotti conditions the creation of new cycle paths on the preservation of car parking and the absence of impact on motorized traffic.
Other candidates in the municipal election did not participate in this initiative at this stage. Cédric Vella, Estelle Jaquet and Céline Forjonnel did not participate in this analysis of positions on active mobility.
NicePremium is a free, independent local news outlet.
Help us keep going by supporting our work from €5 per month.
