The government is continuing to refine its traffic plan for the upcoming Olympic and Paralympic Games. Residents and professionals are being asked to plan their trips to ease congestion on the capital’s roads.
Published on 03/09/2024 at 06:37
The Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris, a spotlight on France… but also a source of stress, especially for the people of the Paris region. “The big hassle will begin on July 1,” admitted Laurent Nuñez, the prefect of police in Paris, on Wednesday, March 6 on franceinfo. In an effort to spare them this hassle in transportation, the government has set up a website: “Anticipating the Games.” Recommendations, interactive map, “Frequently Asked Questions”… the site provides advice to those most affected so they can adapt to their lives disrupted by the Olympic events.
Moving by foot or by bike
The government encourages “moving differently” and recommends different modes of transportation depending on the planned trip. For trips up to 2 km, walking is recommended. For trips up to 10 km, cycling is advised on the more than 3,000 km of existing bicycle paths in Île-de-France. 415 km of “Olympic cycling network” will be added to these paths to provide access to the competition sites, except for Villepinte in Seine-Saint-Denis. This network “will be accompanied by 20,000 secure temporary bike parking spaces near the sites, including 10,000 in Paris,” the site specifies. Despite the restrictions, all the circulation perimeters of the Olympic sites “are accessible to pedestrians, bicycles, scooters without justification,” the site reminds in its FAQ. For longer trips, beyond 10 km, the government encourages carpooling or taking the least crowded public transportation.
An “interactive map” for planning your trip
In order to know the traffic on the roads and in public transportation and to plan your route, the site offers an “interactive map.” This map is a simulator that allows you to navigate a map of Île-de-France and see the conditions for a specific day, time, and mode of transportation. For example, on July 26 at 7 p.m., the time of the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games, the Champs-Élysées Clémenceau, Concorde, and Tuileries stations will be completely closed. The Franklin D. Roosevelt and Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre stations should be avoided because “the waiting time to access the platform is more than 15 minutes” and the Invalides station is “extremely crowded” with “expected waiting time.”
With a color scheme and a timeline, it is possible to know in advance which lines and stations are closed, those to avoid, or, on the contrary, the least crowded stations and organize accordingly. However, this tool does not calculate a route; for that, you need to visit the Île-de-France Mobilités website.
Prefer teleworking
During the Olympic and Paralympic Games, 15 million spectators are expected in the capital. Even with an increase of 15% in transport capacity promised by the RATP, the network risks becoming saturated. This is why the government is calling for teleworking. “Teleworking is a practice that depends on the days, places, and professional and individual situations,” the site states. If remote work is not possible, the government asks employees to adopt staggered hours or change their route to avoid overloading transport and roads, especially during peak hours.
Postpone parcel deliveries and removals
Next summer, individuals are encouraged to avoid “as much as possible” parcel deliveries during the Olympic and Paralympic Games period. “We invite you to anticipate your parcel orders to have them delivered before July 24, after September 8, or between the two Olympiads, from August 12 to 27, 2024,” reads the “Anticipating the Games” website. The same recommendations apply to removals in the capital and its surroundings during this period. The motto is clear: “Avoid moving during the Games.”
Reorganize deliveries for merchants
Merchants are urged to “schedule deliveries” and “stock up on non-perishable goods before the start of the Games.” The government also asks them to “receive larger quantities of goods less frequently.” Cereal farmers, who deliver their goods by boat on the Seine, will be prohibited from navigating the river between July 20 and 26 in preparation for the opening ceremony. Leading up to the ceremony, the residents of the Paris region will see the extensive advertising campaign deployed on transportation walls, reminding them that “anticipation is key!”
