Paris Embraces Cyclists: How Biking is Changing the Face of the French Capital

Paris is one of the world's most beautiful cities, renowned for its incredible architecture, chic boutiques, and romantic atmosphere. Despite its narrow winding streets and busy squares, Paris is also an increasingly bicycle-friendly city where visitors and locals alike can travel with ease. Cycling in Paris has numerous benefits that make it a top choice for the environmentally conscious traveler and those keen to explore the city's secrets.

The City of Paris has invested heavily in cycling infrastructure over the years, making it easier than ever for people to maneuver through the streets on two wheels. In 2013, Paris was the first city in Europe to introduce a new network of bike lanes along its riverside parks and along some of its busiest boulevards. This network allowed cyclists to explore far more of the city away from cars and buses than ever before.

The advantages of cycling in Paris extends beyond convenience. Not only is it one of the most enjoyable ways to explore the city, it's also one of the healthiest. According to Dr. Jean-Francois Toussaint, professor at Diderot University “Cycling in a city like Paris helps reduce risk factors linked to cardiovascular diseases such as diabetes and obesity…and decreases mortality related to physical inactivity” Studies have shown that cycling can actually extend your life by as much as 3-14 months, making it a great activity for visitors looking for an accessible way to enjoy a spot of exercise while discovering all that Paris has to offer.

Emissions are also significantly reduced when people choose bikes instead of cars or buses. Cycling is responsible for producing roughly 4 percent of greenhouse gas emissions compared with cars which account for around one third according to 2017 studies conducted by Greenpeace France. The City council recently announced plans to reduce traffic pollution further by banning diesel vehicles from 2020 and banning all petrol vehicles from 2024 as part of their commitment towards reducing emissions across all transport networks.

Finally, bicycles provide an incredibly economical way for travelers to get around without compromising on quality or safety – after all it's estimated that there are over 100 million bikes worldwide! Thanks largely due their popularity combined with recent investments in infrastructure like bicycle lanes and cycle paths alongside roads across Paris’ 20 districts there’s never been a better time or place for people interested in taking up cycling within this historic French capital.

In conclusion then, we can say that becoming a cyclist in Paris has numerous advantages – convenience, improved health benefits; reduced emissions; plus economic savings when compared with alternative means of transport - all great reasons why cyclists should be embracing their bikes as a safe and efficient mode of transportation within this amazing French capital!