Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
Cycling

Friday Video: The Untold Story Behind the Paris Bike Boom

Yes, Anne Hidalgo deserves a lot of the credit — but the unsung heroes are the advocates who pushed her to do more.

Photo: Shifter

Anne Hidalgo's visionary leadership gets a lot of the credit for Paris's bicycling boom. But is there a deeper story behind the success of the City of Lights? In this video, Shifter unpacks how advocates held the vaunted mayor accountable for making good on her big biking promises, as well as how a simple Metro-style bike map helped residents envision a future where getting in the saddle was a real alternative to driving, plus as a few other tips that we could learn from in the U.S.

And along the way, host Tom Babin bikes all 40 of Paris's newest cycling lanes in under 12 (edited) minutes.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Year in Review: What Gave Us Hope in a Dark 2025

Yes, this year was tough. Yes: we're still ending it with hope for the future.

December 27, 2025

Streetsblog Joins Campaign for Public Financing of Non-Profit Media

New York provides tax credits to for-profit newsrooms. Now, non-profit digital outlets, public broadcasters and public access channels are seeking equal treatment. Doing so would strengthen our democracy.

December 26, 2025

Opinion: Why Urbanists Should Support Plant-Forward Policies 

Your plate is political, just like your choice to pedal instead of drive. And often, transportation and food politics have powerful intersections.

December 26, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Merry Christmas Edition

We're off today, and we wish you a very Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2025

Don’t Believe the Hype: NJ Turnpike Widening Still Happening

Gov. Murphy's late revision will just move the problem around, advocates say.

December 24, 2025

Opinion: Can AI Help Stop Car Crashes Before They Happen?

Proactive safety planning can save more lives than waiting until after crashes kill. But what's the proper role of technology in identifying future hot spots?

December 24, 2025
See all posts