Since their launch last January, the electric Vélo’v have won over the hearts of the Lyonnais. Practical, fast, and eco-friendly, they have become the favorite mode of transportation for many busy city dwellers. However, on Victor-Hugo and République streets, the coexistence with pedestrians sometimes becomes tense. During the municipal council on September 25, the mayor of the 2nd arrondissement, Pierre Oliver, sounded the alarm about the speed of some cyclists, fearing for the safety of passersby.
An upcoming experiment with automatic speed control
To ease the situation, the Metropolis is preparing an unprecedented measure: automatic speed control for electric Vélo’v in pedestrian zones. Valentin Lungenstrass, the deputy mayor in charge of mobility, confirmed that an experimental solution will be tested soon. The idea? To equip part of the fleet with a device capable of limiting speed...
Automatically reduce the speed of bicycles as soon as they enter a pedestrian zone.
Towards a generalization for the entire Vélo’v fleet?
The goal is not to discourage cyclists but to ensure better coexistence with pedestrians. The official also specified that bicycles are allowed to move in these areas, as long as they "go at a walking pace." To support this measure, new signage will be deployed on major pedestrian routes to remind cyclists and scooter users of the rules.
If the experiment proves successful, the system could be generalized to all electric Vélo’v bikes. This would be a first in France, placing Lyon at the forefront of smart regulation for mobility.
urban facilities. In the meantime, pedestrians on the Presqu'île can look forward to a bit more serenity… and cyclists will need to learn to ease up a little.