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

Rail Advocates Say Brightline’s Shocking Safety Numbers Are Part of a Bigger Problem

A story about Florida's "killer train" has rail advocates rattled — and pushing for a wider set of solutions.

July 21, 2025

Honey, Monday’s Headlines Shrunk the DOT

Federal agencies that oversee transit grants and highway safety lost more than a quarter of their employees to a Trump administration buyout program.

July 21, 2025

For Highway Teardowns to Correct the Wrongs of the Past, Focus on Housing

A messy housing project is complicating one of the most celebrated highway removal projects in the country — and bringing back memories of the past.

July 21, 2025

Friday Video: Let’s Go Biking in Berlin

Streetsblog takes you on a six-minute vacation to one of Europe's great cycling cities.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Take the Long Cut

Republicans couldn't repeal higher fuel efficiency standards, so instead they made it painless for automakers to ignore them.

July 18, 2025

Can the D.C. Region Substitute Rail With Buses?

Instead of splashy new rail projects, the D.C. region wants to refocus around the bus. But will it work?

July 18, 2025
See all posts