The Alpes-Maritimes Department has presented its Bicycle Plan for 2028, a large-scale project with the major goal of developing and facilitating bicycle use for all purposes throughout the Azurean territory.
The objective is to enhance the use of bicycles for different purposes: commuting, sports, tourism, health… as well as to set up parking and repair areas and support cycling events.
“Our wish is to offer the Maralpins a coherent, secure, and comfortable network of more than 300 km,” commented Charles-Ange Ginésy, president of the Departmental Council.
Currently, with 235 kilometers of secure cycling paths and 1800 kilometers of cycling routes – including 29 tourist cycling loops –, the department, however, suffers from discontinuities in certain areas, preventing its network from being fully functional.
With the development of its Bicycle Plan, the Department aims to offer the Maralpins an additional 84 km of cycling paths, reaching 320 km by 2028.
The departmental strategy unfolds in several axes to address all the challenges related to infrastructure, sports, tourism, schools, inclusion, digital technology…
– On Infrastructure: The Department plans to develop cycling facilities that facilitate commuting, particularly around the Sophia Antipolis technopole, and also to accelerate the completion of EuroVelo 8, for a continuous route along the Mediterranean, from Menton to Théoule-sur-Mer.
– A Spectacular Project, the Bacons d’Azur tourist route: Between Le Tignet, Grasse, Vence, and Le Broc, we will showcase a 57 km spectacular cyclo-tourist route. It will offer panoramic views in several areas, thanks to the rehabilitation of various engineering structures like the old Viaduct of the Siagne, those of Saint-Jeannet and Pont-du-Loup, and the Pascaressa Bridge in Tourrettes-sur-Loup.
– In Educational and Public Institutions: This involves lending equipment, implementing secure access facilities, and installing equipment within institutions. Parallel awareness actions (bike loan, sustainable mobility incentives…) will be implemented to encourage public employees to use bicycles as a means of transportation.
– Access to Bicycles for “Vulnerable Groups”: Electric-assisted bicycles will be made available for RSA (Revenu de Solidarité Active) recipients, along with assistance systems for cycling for those with reduced mobility and the elderly.
– Sport and Touristic Offers Around Bicycles: The Loïc Bruni MTB downhill track in Valberg will be configured to host international sports events. The Departmental Council will also continue to support cycling events, including the Tour des Alpes-Maritimes et du Var. It will also integrate new routes into the “Cycling in the Alpes-Maritimes” maps. Finally, by 2028, 5 connected passes will be created to add a fun aspect to cycling thanks to digital tools.
