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Soon the end of the bike lane on the sidewalk of Boulevard de Magenta?

undefined undefined 27 février 2025 undefined 17h00

The Editor

© Antoine Muller / M10

We all know that the bike lane connecting République Square to Barbès station, running all the way up (or down, depending on where you're headed) the Boulevard de Magenta, is undoubtedly the worst in Paris. It's an annoying green strip that causes way too many conflicts and accidents. Fortunately, it might soon be taking its final bow.

In February 2024, just a year ago, the people of Paris were invited by the City of Paris to share their thoughts on the place of SUVs in public spaces during a citizen vote. The town hall of the 10th arrondissement took the opportunity to address the notoriously famous bike path on Boulevard Magenta, asking its residents if they would support moving it onto the road. And not surprisingly, the responses were mostly favorable, with 75.83% of voters casting a “yes” in the ballot box. Yet, about 365 days later, nothing has changed. Let’s catch up with you! 


A Taste of Hell

One thing is for sure, if pedestrians and cyclists often struggle to agree, when it comes to describing the bike path on Boulevard Magenta, oddly enough, they all seem to share a common sentiment.problem to align their violins. Too narrow, dangerous, in poor condition, accident-prone, there are plenty of adjectives to describe the 3rd most traveled axis of the capital. It's even seen as a true black spot by all the bicycle associations in Paris. And despite a rather futile attempt to paint it a glaring green in 2020, in an effort to make it more visible, let's just say that it's really not a pleasure to navigate, and some are ready to take long detours to avoid it as much as possible.


A Project Still in the Spotlight

And while some may be starting to get a bit impatient, the mayor of the 10th, Alexandra Cordebard, is firm: the transformation of the boulevard is indeed set to happen in the not-too-distant future. However, this development, while necessary, raises a number of questions. After all, removing the bike lane from the sidewalk implies finding a sufficient space for it on the road, which is already occupied by two bus lanes and two lanes for cars.

This work will therefore start with a long phase of consultation to find the best solution, followed by approximately 3 years of construction. A significant project, which, according to David Belliard, the deputy mayor in charge of transportation, will likely not come to fruition before the next term in 2026. For now, the city is primarily focusing on the development of bike infrastructure in areas where it doesn't exist yet, before reviewing the practicality and safety of the old ones.

However, according to Alexis Frémeaux, president of the association Better Travel by Bicycle, this development doesn’t require much thought at all. According to this cyclist, all it would take is for the 10th district town hall to have the courage to make the boulevard one-way for motor vehicles, which would automatically free up enough space for our little queens. Well, at least we’re happy to know that the project is still relevant, but it seems that we'll have to be patient a little longer…