Paris Cycling Plan 2021–2026: What’s Changing for Riders

Paris is changing: the Plan Vélo 2021-2026 (and what it means for your stay)

Paris is accelerating its cycling makeover with the Plan Vélo 2021-2026, backed by a budget of more than 250 million euros (that’s 100 million more than the previous plan). The goal is clear: make cycling easier, safer and more “natural” day to day—for Parisians and visitors alike. Staying at Hôtel R de Paris (Paris 9, Saint-Lazare / Opéra area), you’re perfectly placed to try Paris by bike: short hops, central neighbourhoods, well-connected routes… and a city being redrawn under your wheels.

1) 180 km of new bike lanes: towards a continuous, safer network

The heart of the Plan Vélo is building and strengthening routes that are more continuous and better separated from traffic. Paris already had more than 1 000 km of cycling infrastructure (including more than 300 km of bike lanes) and 52 km of temporary lanes (“coronapistes”) created after the first lockdown, with a clear intention to make them permanent and fill in the gaps.

The backbone network, known as the Vélopolitain, focuses on high-quality axes (clearer, more comfortable). It’s complemented by a secondary network (links between arrondissements) and local coverage (making everyday streets “bike-friendly”). The expected result: fewer “breaks” and more obvious journeys—even for people who don’t cycle often.

2) Parking: 130,000 new spaces announced to tackle the #1 issue

In Paris, the biggest barrier is often parking and theft (more than 6 000 complaints recorded in 2020). The Plan Vélo therefore includes more than 130 000 new dedicated spaces, with a very practical approach: add more racks, expand secure parking, and improve availability near key hubs.

• 30 000 rack spaces in public areas (including spots adapted for cargo bikes)
• Secure parking targeting 100 000 spaces, including equipped facilities (with sockets for e-bikes)
• Secure residential parking
• Extra capacity near stations and high-traffic locations

For visitors, the good news is simple: it’s becoming easier to “stop for a minute” without cycling around 10 streets to find somewhere to lock up.

3) Two-way cycling on one-way streets: the idea of “cycling everywhere”

Another key change is the wider rollout of two-way cycling on smaller streets, with a target of 390 km by 2026. The benefit during a stay is huge: fewer detours, more natural crossings through neighbourhoods, and less of that “boxed-in” feeling created by one-way car streets.

In central Paris, a large share of streets is already covered, with plans to extend this logic and make journeys even more flexible.

4) The regional scale: RER Vélo (Vélo Île-de-France) + Vélopolitain

The plan is also part of a broader push: connecting Paris to the surrounding area with structured routes that feel more “logical” for longer trips.

• The RER Vélo (renamed Vélo Île-de-France): 9 lines linking Paris and the inner suburbs
• The Vélopolitain: continuity of bike lanes on a metropolitan scale

Announced figures point to already high continuity (for example 84%) and a strong pace of delivery (for example 72% of the planned 1 300 km). For your stay, the takeaway is simple: even without your own bike, the network is becoming clearer and easier to ride.

5) Safety: 30 km/h zones, protected junctions and rethought priorities

The plan also aims to make urban coexistence safer (bikes, pedestrians, cars, buses). Key measures include:

• Expanding 30 km/h zones
• “Dutch-style” junctions and protective islands
• Bike boxes and dedicated cyclist traffic lights
• Blind-spot markings in public procurement
• Stronger enforcement (respecting bike lanes / pedestrian priority)

For visitors, this is often what changes the experience most: certain routes and intersections feel noticeably more comfortable.

6) Subsidies, training, Vélib’: cycling without your own bike

To broaden access, the plan includes purchase subsidies (especially for e-bikes) and training for urban riding. And if you don’t have a bike: Vélib’ remains an easy option, with 1 406 stations (including 1 006 in Paris and 400 in the inner suburbs) and a mix of mechanical and electric bikes.

Figures that show the momentum

Cycling is now highly visible: in 2021, more than 4,1 million bikes and scooters used Rue de Rivoli, and Boulevard de Sébastopol reached 28 417 bikes on a single day in October 2022. The reported modal share is 11,2% of trips by bike in Paris (vs. under 5% before the lockdowns), with a measured 71,6% increase in bike-lane usage between 2021 and 2023.

Near Hôtel R de Paris: what you’ll feel “on the ground”

In the 9th arrondissement and around Saint-Lazare / Grands Boulevards, infrastructure has clearly evolved: more separation, clearer routes and more bike parking. Nearby axes (for example towards rue du Havre / rue Tronchet) have been cited for their upgrades and the increase in bike spaces, including spots adapted for cargo bikes. For you, it means one thing: heading out and coming back by bike feels more “natural” than it did a few years ago.

Practical tips for exploring Paris by bike during your stay

• Before you go: use the official map “Paris à Vélo, le bon plan” (paris.fr) to favour comfortable routes.
• Vélib’: perfect for a spontaneous ride (especially if you want to try it with zero commitment).
• Two-way streets: they make life easier, but always check the signage—nothing is automatic everywhere.
• Parking: choose visible racks and busy areas; for a long stop, pick secure parking when possible.
• Safety: a good lock matters, and a “simpler” route is often better than a “shorter” one.

Local-style ride ideas: 3 easy loops

• Classic Paris (photo ride): start around Opéra → cross to the main central axes → finish back in the 9th for dinner.
• Paris by the water: choose a route along a pleasant axis (canal/quays), then return via calmer streets.
• Shopping & neighbourhoods: combine department stores + a coffee break, then a short loop so you’re not carrying bags for too long.

To tailor these loops to your level (easy, “sporty”, or 100% protected routes), our digital concierge service can guide you based on the day, crowds and what you feel like doing.

After the ride: the comfort of coming back

After a day on two wheels, it’s always nice to return somewhere calm: discover our rooms, then treat yourself to a relaxing moment in our wellness area. And to start the next day right, enjoy our generous breakfast.

A cycling revolution in the heart of Paris

With new bike lanes, stronger parking, two-way cycling, redesigned safety measures and services like Vélib’, the Plan Vélo 2021-2026 marks a turning point. Paris is gradually becoming a city where cycling is no longer reserved for regular riders: it’s becoming a real way to discover the capital differently—more freely, more locally, and often faster than you might think.