Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Radio France Internationale
Radio France Internationale
National
RFI

Transport strike puts Paris cyclists at increased risk

Paris authorities says road injuries, most of which involve cyclists and scooters, have increased by 26 percent since the strike began. Guillaume Souvant/AFP

Since crippling transport strikes began in December, Paris has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people hiring bikes and scooters to get around.

Accidents on two-wheelers in the capital were up by 30 percent in December, with 600 incidents recorded between 5 and 14 December alone.

Ahead of a sixth major protest march through Paris Thursday, a cyclist riding a Velib rental was killed shortly before 8am when he was struck by a 35-tonne lorry near Porte de Clichy, in the city’s north.

The precise circumstances of the accident are unclear. Several major roads leading into Paris were closed, with traffic jams spreading to surrounding areas.

Paris's Police Prefecture says road injuries have increased by 26 percent since the strike began, with hospital admissions up 11 percent.

​On Monday an 11-year-old girl was killed in 16th arrondissement after being struck by a heavy vehicle on her way to school.

The number of people using Paris's rental bikes has skyrocketed since pension reform strikes began six weeks ago.
The number of people using Paris's rental bikes has skyrocketed since pension reform strikes began six weeks ago. REUTERS/Charles Platiau

selfpromo.newsletter.titleselfpromo.newsletter.text

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.