Over the past decade, urban mobility in France has undergone a major transformation. Bicycles and scooters have become the preferred alternatives to cars and public transport.
While this development responds to environmental and practical issues, it is accompanied by a significant increase in accidents, sometimes chaotic cohabitation between users and a lack of awareness of safety rules.
In light of this, the FLUX editorial team is attempting to provide a picture of the major hazards, the equipment available, and, above all, how to restore a harmonious balance on the road. We will also focus on three French cities: Paris, Lyon, and Bordeaux.
An explosion of practice… and accidents
For the past 15 years, bicycles and scooters have experienced a meteoric rise in French cities. Figures collected by VEST PARIS demonstrate this:
- +30% of cyclists on average since 2019 according to data from Vélo & Territoires.
- 5 million regular bicycle users in urban areas.
- A 50% increase in the electric scooter fleet in three years.
While these figures reflect a massive adoption of individual modes of transport, they are also accompanied by an increase in serious accidents due to non-compliance with the highway code, excessive speed, dangerous behavior and a lack of equipment.
The National Interministerial Road Safety Observatory (ONISR) has recorded the following figures:
- Cyclists : +30% of bodily injuries since 2015 (in 10 years).
- Scooters and electric scooters : 3,947 accidents in 2022, compared to 1,378 in 2019.
- Thermal scooters : Mortality up 12% over the last three years.
An urban space under tension: between anarchy and invisible dangers
Urban infrastructure is struggling to adapt to the influx of new users, creating often conflictual coexistence between pedestrians, cyclists, scooter riders, and motorists. Several issues are highlighted:
Anarchy on the cycle paths
- Occupancy by pedestrians or parked scooters.
- Dangerous overtaking between cyclists.
- Use of scooters and scooters at high speed on these roads.
Failure to comply with traffic rules
- Going through a red light on a bike or scooter.
- Driving against the flow of traffic or on sidewalks.
- Careless overtaking of cars and trucks.
A feeling of invulnerability among some users
- Cyclists and electric scooter users, often without helmets or protective equipment, are at risk of serious accidents.
- Some users feel protected by the priority often given to soft mobility... until the day an accident occurs.
Electric bikes in the city: underestimated risks
We wanted to focus on the electric bike, which has certainly revolutionized our travel in the city by offering a fast, ecological and accessible means of transport, but behind its many advantages lies a worrying reality: the risks linked to speed and dense traffic in cities.
In some ways, the dangers faced by e-bike (electrically assisted bicycle) riders are as high as those faced by scooter users.
VAE: speed and risks, parallel with the scooter
Unlike conventional bicycles, e-bikes allow you to reach high speeds effortlessly. In France, regulations set the limit for approved electric bikes at 25 km/h with pedal assistance. However, there are models called speed bikes that can reach speeds of 45 km/h and require specific approval, as well as helmets and registration.
But in reality, many users modify their e-bikes or purchase unapproved models, far exceeding these limits. At 40 km/h, a collision with a pedestrian, another vehicle, or an obstacle can have dramatic consequences.
This is why the Mayor of Paris recently launched a crackdown on users who disrespect anything.
An alarming figure: according to the National Interministerial Road Safety Observatory (ONISR), accidents involving electric bicycles increased by 38% in 2023 compared to the previous year. This sharp rise in the rate closely follows the increase in e-bike sales. We are awaiting the figures for 2024.
VAE, a more dangerous urban environment
City traffic density further complicates matters. Electric bikes travel on the same lanes as conventional bicycles, scooters, and sometimes scooters, creating a very heterogeneous mix of speeds.
- Congested cycle paths : With the rise of soft mobility, infrastructure is sometimes insufficient and poorly adapted.
- Failure to obey traffic lights and stop signs : A growing number of road users are adopting risky behaviors, thinking they are going faster.
- Cars and blind spots : Motorists, sometimes surprised by the speed of electric bikes, have difficulty anticipating their arrival, particularly at intersections.
Three cities face the challenge of this security : Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux
PARIS: A cycling revolution that raises questions
A spectacular boom in bicycles and scooters
- +80% of cyclists in five years according to Paris City Hall.
- A steady increase in the number of electric scooters , with services like Cityscoot and Yego.
Although the capital has significantly developed its cycle paths with facilities such as the "coronapiste" on the banks of the Seine, cohabitation between users remains tense.
Security black spots
- Rue de Rivoli : an emblematic axis where bicycles, scooters and buses sometimes cross dangerously.
- The Boulevards des Maréchaux : areas where scooters and scooters sometimes travel at excessive speeds.
- Intersections of major roads : many cyclists run red lights, increasing the risk of collision.
L YON: expanding network but risky behavior
Rapid growth in cycling… but also incivility. Lyon is often cited as a model for the development of soft mobility, but the excessive speed of certain users and the failure to respect traffic rules create tensions .
- +30% of cyclists between 2019 and 2024.
- 5,000 self-service scooters , a record for a city of this size.
- Strong development of electric scooters , but difficult cohabitation with bicycles.
What are the most dangerous areas for cyclists and scooter riders?
- The banks of the Saône and the Rhône : despite the excellent infrastructure, some cyclists ride at excessive speeds, endangering pedestrians.
- The slopes of Croix-Rousse : with numerous descents, cyclists and scooter riders take risks by riding too fast.
- City center intersections : a black spot for security, particularly around Place Bellecour.
BORDEAUX: a bike-friendly city at what price?
A city that is a champion of cycling… but with an increase in accidents. Although Bordeaux has a remarkable cycle network, conflicts between different users remain frequent.
- Bordeaux is the number one cycling city in France according to several rankings.
- +45% increase in the number of cyclists in five years.
- An explosion in the number of electric scooters , sometimes to the detriment of cyclists.
Here are the risk areas for cyclists and scooter riders in Bordeaux
- The Pierre Bridge : despite the ban on cars, the concentration of bicycles and scooters creates tensions.
- The Verdun and Marne courtyards : areas where scooters and bicycles must coexist in restricted spaces.
- The pedestrian streets of the city center : recurring conflicts between cyclists, pedestrians and bicycle delivery drivers.
What solutions are there to improve cohabitation?
At our humble level, we will try to provide some advice to improve the picture we have just painted.
Better sharing of urban space: This advice is more aimed at urban planners who are thinking about dedicated infrastructure. Considering better separation (as in Amsterdam or Barcelona) would be a good start.
Strengthen user awareness and training : prevention campaigns and increased enforcement are necessary. And why not require users to obtain a bicycle driving license or even make bicycle license plates mandatory, all accompanied by a network of cameras on the roads?
Better equip yourself : wearing a helmet, suitable clothing and discreet protection like those from VEST PARIS is a guarantee of safety.
Recommended equipment
Obviously, good gear is always better. How many scooterists and cyclists has VEST PARIS protected over the past 13 years? A lot! A lot of elbows and shoulders saved...
To limit risks, it is therefore crucial to be properly equipped. For cyclists, while the law only requires helmets for speed bikes (45 km/h), it is strongly recommended to wear one. Especially with an e-bike...
Here are some examples of equipment and clothing for urban cyclists that are not mandatory but strongly recommended by our editorial team.
- A suitable helmet : In addition to the mandatory motorcycle helmets, brands like Hövding , Thousand and Abus offer stylish and high-performance helmets for cycling.
- Reinforced gloves : In the event of a fall, the hands are often the first to touch the ground. Gloves are mandatory on scooters.
- A technical jacket with built-in protection : VEST PARIS , a specialist in urban technical jackets, has designed models that offer protection against shocks and bad weather while ensuring a stylish look. These jackets combine abrasion resistance, shoulder and elbow protection, and sometimes even discreet ballistic protection for the most exposed users.
- Reflective clothing : Being visible at night is essential. Some technical jackets feature reflective strips that are invisible in daylight.
- Reinforced pants : Brands like Pando Moto or Rokker offer abrasion-resistant jeans with knee and hip protection.