In a time when many cities try to motivate their inhabitants to adopt a more sustainable way of living, the French city of Bordeaux will be adding almost 300 kilometers of extra large cycling paths to its network by 2030. The project, called ReVE (short for Réseau Vélo Express and a wordplay on the French word for ‘dream), comprises a total of 14 cycling routes, good for 272 kilometers of cycling fun. But the paths are way more than your usual cycling lane.
The city of Bordeaux is trying to make sure that by 2030, 18% of its inhabitants’ movements will happen by bike. At the moment, that percentage is set at 8. To be able to reach that goal, no less than 272 kilometers of cycling routes will be added by that year. Those cycling paths will measure 2 meters in width, will be uninterrupted to make sure cyclists can move as quickly as possible and will be fitted with several resting spots, which will also be equipped with all you need to repair your bike. The aim is that people will use the new network to go to work, to do daily chores, like the grocery run, and to have some fun in their spare time.
In order to make that dream come true, the ReVE network will connect several hotspots in the greater city, such as the Campus, the CHU, the OIM Aéroparc, multiple commercial zones as well as train stations and multimodal exchange locations.
“The ReVE paths are well-thought through and allow for people to avoid obstacles like the ringway. They need to convince people that it’s possible, without danger and quick to move around by bike”, metropolitan councilor responsible for alternative mobility in Bordeaux Isabelle Rami told Rue 89 Bordeaux.
Even though most of the network is yet to be constructed, two parts of ReVE are already in use today. A 4.7 kilometer-long stretch links the Plage du Lac with the bridge on the Jalles de Blanquefort on the Allée du Bois. A second stretch, measuring 7.6 kilometers, follows the extension of tramway A from the stop ‘4 chemins’ to the airport, passing Mérignac Soleil. On ReVE’s website, you can find a full overview of the routes that are already in use and a map of the future cycling paths that have yet to be added.
