The growth of cycling in the Greater Paris - Grand Paris Metropolis -
In a context where the number of people cycling is greatly increasing, the study, carried out with the support of the ADEME, aims to gain a better understanding of cyclists in Grand Paris, particularly new cyclists. To achieve this, a set of data is used as well as a survey conducted by Apur, to identify both the motivating and inhibiting factors of the development of cycling in the metropolis.
Since 2018, the distance covered by cycle paths in Grand Paris Metropolis has almost tripled, reaching nearly 4,300 km. In 2025, this evolution was accompanied by the offer of 201,000 parking spaces for bicycles, 6,500 of which are in secure lockers at stations. At the same time, mobility options for shared bicycles have developed, promoting biking among the entire population. In September 2024, an average of 170,300 Velib' journeys were made each working day, with nearly 19,700 Vélib' bikes being ridden in over 65 municipalities in Grand Paris. Recreational and sports uses of bicycles are also popular: in Paris, where five EuroVélo cycle routes intersect, 161 hotels offer bicycle storage facilities.
Among the new daily cyclists, the proportion of women and working people aged under 45 is rising. Cycling is developing and more popular among residents in certain areas such as Plaine Commune, Est Ensemble, Paris La Défense and journeys made between Paris and neighbouring municipalities are increasing.
There are a lot of motivating factors. Cyclists primarily appreciate the time saving aspect: for the last part of a journey, 72% of cyclists prefer biking to other forms of transport because it is faster. Sport and leisure also emerge as main sources of motivation. The safety provided by the facilities developed also impact the means of transport chosen: 34% of cyclists who have increased their bike riding mention the improvements or creation of cycle paths as a reason for this change. Finally, throughout Grand Paris intermodality has been identified as a lever for developing cycling. In 2025, 11% of cyclists combined cycling with public transport for utility journeys. Although the density of traffic can restrict the use of bikes, the dynamic of the trend is positive and a majority of respondents plan to increase their use of bicycles in the years to come.
In order to reach the objective laid down in strategic documents notably the Ile-de-France Mobility Plan, the Metropolitan Climate and Air Plan and Local Mobility Plans, to triple journeys made by bike, projects to develop cycle paths are spreading into the region (VIF network), throughout Grand Paris Metropolis (Metropolitan Cycle Plan) and locally (Departmental, Territorial and Municipal Master Plan for Cycling). Nearly 2,200 km of cycle paths are planned in Grand Paris to be developed and completed with services which are fast growing ///thriving in the metropolis, for bike-sharing, parking, repairing and learning about bikes.
