Paris officials announced that private vehicles would be banned from the "historic heart" of the city by early 2024. Officials are pushing to improve air quality in the capital before the city hosts the 2024 Olympic Games.
The 2024 target will give the city a two-year delay from the original 2022 target, and it will give them the chance to adjust before the ban rolls out.
This photo taken at night on September 29, 2021, shows traffic on the Champs Elysees avenue, near the Arc de Triomphe wrapped in silver-blue fabric as it was design by late artist Christo, in Paris.
Paris to Ban Private Vehicles
According to The Local, the area where the private vehicles will be banned also called the "tranquil zone," will include the city's two islands on the Seine, where the famous Notre-Dame is cathedral and Sainte-Chapelle are located.
Paris officials stated that the current plan is to enforce the "tranquil zone" with random spot checks of the cars exiting the area.
Instead of banning all private cars, the rule will target through-traffic which is believed to make up more than half of cars on the city's roads.
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All delivery drivers will still be able to enter the zone, and people will still be able to drive in and out of the area for visits or access the city's amenities like the theater, shops, museums, and more, according to David Belliard, the city's deputy mayor.
It is estimated that the ban will prevent around 100,000 vehicles from entering the city daily, according to Bloomberg.
Paris to Turn into Cycling Metropolis
The ban is one of the city's ways of reducing the number of cars in the city and reducing the pollution that they produce.
Mayor Anne Hidalgo has pushed for Paris to become less car-centric and is encouraging the public to travel by walking or bicycling.
The city created more than 100 miles of new bike paths during the coronavirus lockdown in 2020 and banned vehicles from some highways along the Seine.
However, the official's attempt to turn the city into a cycling metropolis has not been smooth, according to The New York Times. Residents complained that several cyclists were not following the rules of the road.
Also, the new network of cycle lanes has faced criticism because of its bad layouts that can penalize cyclists who obey the rules.
Authorities have responded to criticisms by adding more police to fine those who disobey the rules and better-educating children about the rules of the road.
Mayor Belliard said that out of the 743 respondents to the first consultation phase, 78% were in favor. The plan will now go through an impact study and public inquiry before its implementation.
The city's Plan Velo: Act 2 revealed the plan from 2021 to 2026. The bill was published last year, and it showed that the city is set to increase the number of protected cycleways and boost bicycle parking spaces.
The city will also create extra facilities for cyclists, thanks to its new $290 million plan. The Plan Velo: Act 2 will see the creation of 30,000 parking stands with 1,000 spaces reserved for cargo bikes.
The city will also add 40,000 new secure cycle parking spaces near rail stations with the expectation that the private sector will install 50,000 more spaces in the near future.
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Written by Sophie Webster
