France offers bike repair subsidies to boost cycling post-lockdown

The French government will offer €50 per person for bike repairs in a bid to encourage cycling and reduce traffic congestion once the nationwide coronavirus lockdown is lifted.

Under the €20 million scheme, cyclists in France will be able to take their bikes to registered mechanics for repairs of up to €50. Cycling coaching sessions and the installation of temporary bike parking spaces will also be financed as part of the plan.

France’s Minister of the Ecological and Inclusive Transition Élisabeth Borne said the move was aimed at preventing crowding in subways and buses as the country plans to begin relaxing its coronavirus lockdown measures on May 11. At the same time, the government wishes to get more people cycling to keep air pollution at low levels post-lockdown.

Borne added that another programme which will allow employers to cover up to €400 of travel costs of staff who cycle to work will be launched as well.

“We want this period to be a new stage towards a cycling culture and we want the bicycle to be the queen of deconfinement,” the minister said in a statement.

French cycling federation FUB, which will be the coordinator of the bike repair programme, said the government has set aside 300,000 cheques worth €50 for cyclists and noted that the scheme would be extended if it succeeds.

Paris and other cities in France are also eyeing a reallocation of street space from cars to cycling. Pierre Serne, coordinator of the government’s cycling plan, told local radio France Bleu that the region around Paris plans to create up to 750 kilometres of new bike lanes on departmental roads.

Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo also said the city will create new bike lanes along three metro lines, while major east-west thoroughfare Rue de Rivoli will be reserved only for bikes, buses, taxis and emergency vehicles.