The Take How to become a bike-friendly city? Lessons from a Paris revolution
Jun 9, 2025
Natacha Butler, an Al Jazeera English correspondent with over 20 years in Paris, discusses the city's transformation into a bike-friendly haven. She highlights how grassroots activism and political support sparked this revolutionary shift. Notable events like the 2019 transportation strikes and the pandemic accelerated cycling's popularity. The podcast delves into improvements in bike infrastructure and public health benefits, showcasing Paris as a model for urban mobility that prioritizes people over cars.
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Natasha's Paris Biking Experience
- Natasha Butler shares her personal joy of biking through scenic Paris landmarks everyday.
- She highlights biking as a fast, freeing mode of transport, beating traffic and metro delays.
Paris Air Quality Transformation
- Paris air quality drastically improved over 20 years, making biking more pleasant and healthier.
- The reduction in car traffic has visibly cleared smog that once obscured famous landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.
Health as a Driver for Change
- City council targeted pollution-related health issues to make Paris greener.
- Anne Hidalgo stated 2,500 annual deaths in Paris are attributed to air pollution, motivating change.