No Motorized Vehicles in Paris This Sunday!
The ninth car-free day, also known as “Journée Paris Respire,” starts at 11am and ends at 6pm. Aside from cars, motorcycles and scooters, whether with combustion or electric engines, will also not be allowed to circulate in the streets of the capital.
Buses, ride-hailing services, taxis, and emergency vehicles will be authorized to circulate, but not exceeding the maximum speed limit of 30 km/h. In the “Paris Respire” zones such as Montmartre, La Villette, and the Daguerre and Mouffetard neighborhoods, the maximum authorized speed is lowered to 20 km/h, ride-hailing services are prohibited, and controls are strengthened.
If you need to return from work, the weekend, or vacation, it will still be possible to access your home by presenting a proof of residence at one of the entry checkpoints into Paris. Motorcyclists and diehard motorists risk heavy fines: 135 euros. It is better to leave your vehicle parked.
On this Sunday, Vélib is joining the Car-Free Day by offering a free 45-minute journey on a mechanical or electric Vélib’ bike, exclusively for this day, with the promotional code “JSV2023” when subscribing to a Ticket-V.
Outside of Paris, Rambouillet is organizing its car-free day this Saturday from 2pm to 7pm. The cities of Pantin, Pré Saint Gervais, and Les Lilas are also having their car-free day this Sunday, between 11am and 6pm.
A Kidical Mass in Paris
Several festive events are organized this Sunday. One of the main ones is the Kidical Mass, which combines Critical Mass and Kids. The first one was created in 2008 in Oregon, USA. It is now a global phenomenon.
The Kidical Mass is a family parade, both festive and demonstrative, with children cycling on their bikes, riding on an adult’s bike, or even on their balance bikes. The goal is to give families and children a greater place in the city, with more ease and safety in their bike journeys.
“It allows children to ride bikes because it is not always possible the rest of the year. It also allows parents to realize that when children grow up, they have everything they need to start cycling,” explains Alexis Frémeaux, President of the association Mieux se Déplacer à Bicyclette (MDB).
“We want to be able to cycle with children throughout the year” – Alexis Frémeaux, President of MDB
The objective of this Kidical Mass is to “demonstrate that in order to get children cycling, we need secure infrastructure. During the car-free day, we have this security for bikes. That’s what we want for the city in the future. We want to be able to cycle with children all year round,” adds Alexis Frémeaux.
Another opportunity to take up cycling. This Sunday, Vélib’ offers a free 45-minute journey with one of its bikes, electric or mechanical, for any subscription with the promotional code “JSV2023” to a Ticket-V. This journey is only valid for this exceptional day.
