Faced with the task of rethinking its transportation systems in the face of the ongoing public health crisis, Paris and the Île-de-France are clearing the way for people on bikes.
"Paris is the latest global city to roll out emergency bike lanes for the use of key workers and others during the lockdown," according to an article by Carlton Reid. The shift toward bike priority in Paris will last beyond the lockdown.
Concerns about transportation mode choices (i.e., a massive shift to automobile trips) after the lockdown has led Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo ready 650 kilometers of cycleways—including "corona cycleways"—for May 11 when the lockdown is eased in France. Mayor Hidalgo is also accelerating the existing "Plan Vélo," which is designed to turn Paris into a 15-minute city. A January 2020 article by Reid reported in more detail about Mayor Hidalgo's ambitious plans to end the car-centric design of Paris streets.
Now, Mayor Hidalgo's efforts have support from higher levels of government. "On April 21, the Île-de-France region pledged financial support for the preexisting RER Vélo project, a network of nine protected cycleways linking the center of Paris with key suburbs, a concept of the Ile-de-France Bike Collective advocacy network," reports Reid. "€300 million will be provided to part-pay for a mix of new infrastructure and temporary 'corona cycleways,' or TempoRER vélo," according to Reid.
FULL STORY: Paris To Create 650 Kilometers Of Post-Lockdown Cycleways
Paris Plans to Become a '100 Percent Cyclable' City
Mayor Anne Hidalgo continues her commitment to making Paris more bikeable with a new plan that will improve bike parking and facilities in the French capital.
The Car-Free Revolution Continues in Paris
The city continues to reclaim space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Lockdown Benefits Urban Farmers In Paris
Pandemic induced lockdown kept Parisians within 1 km of their homes during lockdown, benefiting urban farmers and advocates for a diversified local food supply.
The Slow Death of Ride Sharing
From the beginning, TNCs like Lyft and Uber touted shared rides as their key product. Now, Lyft is ending the practice.
Cool Walkability Planning
Shadeways (covered sidewalks) and pedways (enclosed, climate controlled walkways) can provide comfortable walkability in hot climates. The Cool Walkshed Index can help plan these facilities.
Congestion Pricing Could Be Coming to L.A.
The infamously car-centric city is weighing a proposed congestion pricing pilot program to reduce traffic and encourage public transit use.
How San Diego Camping Ban Could Impact Neighborhoods
An ordinance supported by the city’s mayor would bar people from sleeping on the street near shelters or services, but critics say it will simply push people to other neighborhoods and put them farther away from the supportive services they need.
Expanding Access to Golf in South Los Angeles
L.A. County’s Maggie Hathaway Golf Course getting up to $15 Million from U.S. Open Community Legacy Project to expand access to the sport in South L.A.
Opinion: Failed Housing Bills Could Signal California-Style Housing Crisis in Texas
Legislators in a state that so often touts its policies as the opposite of California’s defeated several bills that would have made housing construction easier, leading to concerns that a constricted housing market may exacerbate the housing crisis.
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Bangor
Park City Municipal Corporation
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Montrose County
Wichita-Sedgwick County Metropolitan Area Planning Department
City of Lomita
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
