Cycling and walking, big winners of deconfinement

The after May 11 opens the way to new habits for the French. Among these, transport could be the subject of a small revolution. A study, commissioned by the company Cyclofix, specializing in the repair of bicycles and electric scooters, and taken up by France inforeveals that after deconfinement, the French will opt for more sustainable modes of travel, where cars and motorized two-wheelers will slowly give way to cycling and walking.

Public transport in freefall

The survey reveals that a third of French people will turn to cycling or walking after deconfinement. More precisely, 12.1% of those questioned thus affirm that they will prefer cycling after May 11, while only 7.7% use it today, an increase of 57%. In the long term, nearly one out of two new cyclists (44%) will make it their preferred mode of transportation. Walking is not left out, however, since 16.9% of respondents have already chosen it for post-containment.

These two means of transport are particularly popular in large cities. The study reveals that their use will be up 10 points after May 11 against an 11% drop for cars or motorized two-wheelers. Another mode of transport shunned by the French, public transport. Forecasts show a drop in their use of 63% according to the survey.

Major cities are preparing for the transition

These numbers could be higher. Indeed, this survey was carried out between April 21 and 24, i.e. before the announcement by the executive of a bicycle plan of 20 million euros. Since then, major cities, particularly affected by these new habits, such as Paris, have stated that they want to encourage the use of bicycles by developing a large network of cycle paths. “It is out of the question that we let ourselves be invaded by vehicles. Pollution combined with the coronavirus is a dangerous cocktail”announced Anne Hidalgo, the mayor of Paris.