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The dissolution of the National Assembly last June by Emmanuel Macron sowed discord throughout the country. And when it comes time to vote on the budget for 2025, the bicycle sector could be heavily penalized by the new National Assembly. In any case, this is what the French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB) fears.
The 2023-2027 Cycling Plan provided for an investment of 1.25 billion euros nationally to develop cycling infrastructure, in particular cycle paths which were to double. However, from 2025, significant reductions in the allocated budget could take place.
Cancellation of the bicycle budget for 2025?
According to the French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB), the bicycle budget could simply be canceled for the years 2024 and 2025.
This fear arises from the information present in the ceiling letters and the declarations of Franck Leroy, president of the organization responsible for financing infrastructure projects on behalf of the State (Afit), published by Context. In this letter, we discover that the budget allocated to Afit would be 3.7 billion euros, a reduction of one billion euros. Above all, we learn “the absence of new commitments within the framework of the various calls for projects launched“. The Cycling Plan could thus be in danger.
A difficult decision to understand
If this fear of the disappearance of the Cycling Plan is confirmed, it would go against the grain of policies previously held in favor of the development of cycling.
The Covid-19 crisis has reinforced French interest in two-wheelers, synonymous with ease and freedom. The increasing number of urban developments have also contributed to this development, making cycling in the city less dangerous and more reassuring for beginners.
Also, the FUB underlines in its press release: “While the transport sector remains by far the largest emitter of greenhouse gases with 34% of our national emissions, according to the latest Climate-Energy Observatory, a CNAM study dating from last spring demonstrates that cycling allows avoid 2,000 deaths per year and that each kilometer traveled by bike is equivalent to one euro of social cost avoided. » Ecological and good for your health, cycling has benefits for the community.
The money invested to develop cycling infrastructure benefits everyone. Cycle paths are non-exclusive common goods, allowing cyclists to move easily, but also users of scooters, skateboards or any other mobility device. In addition, cycling promotes healthy aging of the population, thereby reducing medical expenses.
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