News article
Paris 2024’s cycling legacy already visible
Paris 2024’s legacy has already benefited thousands and thousands of Parisians, thanks to an additional 120km of cycle paths created especially for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
The additional 120km now means there are a total of 400km of cycle lanes across Ile-de-France – also known as the Paris region. These lanes will be maintained following the Paralympic Games to make it easier for residents to travel by bicycle.
All Olympic and Paralympic venues in the Ile-de-France region, with the exception of Villepinte, are accessible by bike using the cycle paths, which are also protected from motor traffic. This is a first in the history of the Games, according to the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI).
“Today in Paris, cycling is no longer just a weekend pastime, but the fastest and easiest way to get around on a daily basis,” said Charlotte Guth, Head of Bicycle Mission for the City of Paris Roads and Transport Department.
“Today in Paris, cycling is no longer just a weekend pastime, but the fastest and easiest way to get around on a daily basis."
“The 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games have offered us a unique opportunity to accelerate these changes, and visitors so far have taken advantage of it as we saw a lot of cyclists on our trails during the Olympic Games.”
Included in the network are 28km of cycle paths in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, which link the railway station with competition locations such as the National Velodrome – host of Olympic and Paralympic track cycling – and the nearby Olympic BMX Racing venue.
Cycling has been encouraged during the Olympics and forthcoming Paralympic Games, with 46,000 self-service bikes available for rent and more than 27,000 additional parking spots. Some 3,000 permanent spaces for bike parking have been built at main railway stations.
A further positive cycling legacy from the Games includes 10,000 temporary bike racks that were installed near and around Olympic venues. These racks will be moved to sports centres, schools and municipal facilities around the French capital.
The Paralympic Games will run between August 28 and September 8.