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Central Paris could be almost car free by 2022

The Local France
The Local France - [email protected]
Central Paris could be almost car free by 2022
A woman rides a bicycle past motorcyclists in Paris, on September 23, 2020. (Photo by Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)

As part of its strategy to reduce traffic in the French capital, the Paris city council has announced plans to introduce a 'low traffic zone' in the centre of the city by 2022. A consultation with residents was launched on Wednesday.

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The Paris city council is launching a consultation with residents about implementing a low traffic zone or zone apeisée in the centre of the city – a measure that already exists in other European and French cities like Lille and Nantes.

The objective is to drastically reduce traffic in an area comprising the city's four central arrondissements and part of the 5th, 6th and 7th, by 2022.

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This would mean that only "residents, buses, taxis but also artisans, professionals and delivery trucks will be allowed to circulate in this perimeter," Paris's deputy mayor David Belliard told Le Parisien newspaper. However, the exact details of who will be allowed to enter the low traffic zone are still to be defined during the consultation. Parisians can participate by answering a questionnaire on the city's website.

The objective is to "give priority and safety to pedestrians and cyclists, reduce pollution and noise," Belliard said, adding that the reduction of traffic on the Rue de Rivoli, one of Paris's main commercial streets which now has been turned into a multi-lane biking highway, "led to a reduction of 2,2 decibels."

The creation of a low traffic zone fits into Mayor Anne Hidalgo's broader strategy to reduce air pollution and make Paris a leading cycling capital. It's also aligned with efforts to reduce the amount of car traffic around schools.

READ ALSO: "It's not yet Amsterdam": What Paris must do to be a world leading cycling capital

When the first 3-month coronavirus lockdown ended a year ago, Paris city officials created 50 kilometers of coronapistes (coronavirus cycle lanes). The move was initially temporary, but Mayor Anne Hidalgo later announced she would make them permanent in the autumn.

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me_60e85ad946352 2021/08/02 18:46
They should be really progressive. Close the peripherique and ban cars (including residents, except electric disabled vehicles) within the peripherique. The peripherieque itself should be a bicycle lane, green walkway and tram route. Improved (free) car parks at RER stations outside the ring, especially at terminals
thelocal_462458 2021/05/14 13:50
Sounds like a great idea actually.

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