a glance at our Cycling year in 12 themes

It's time for the traditional retrospective (we could call it backpedaling). Weelz! take a look in the retro. A particularly busy year 2024 for Cycling. Cycling in all its forms. We had the pleasure of exploring, month after month, the many facets of this universe. From everyday mobility to tourism, including sport, politics and other social subjects that are debated. Here is our retrospective in 12 themes, to celebrate a year where cycling has (again) gained momentum.

First of all, we wanted to warmly thank you. You, the readers, who, every week, come in increasing numbers to consult our articles, share our favorites, react to our tests, comment on our rants. We've done the math: 2024 saw more than 1.5 million unique visitors to the site. This represents a volume of 2.3 million sessions for 3 million page views! That’s almost 1 million additional page views in one year!

We checked our statistics and did the math: Weelz! that's an average of 40 articles each month. Who knows why, we were more productive in July and September, with a peak of 53 and 55 articles respectively.

Jérôme Sorrel and I would like to thank the investment and excellent work of our editors, contributors and other service providers working with Weelz! this year: Ben Grivoz, Loïc Bonraisin, Claude Droussent, Arnaud Paillard, Alain Dalouche, Yann Le Tolguenec, Sandra Jacques, Léry Jicquel, Antoine Bussier, Carine, Martin, Allan, Guillaume, Julien, Geoffrey.

A big up also to the Ouest France teams who have been supporting us since last year. These nice audience figures are also the fruit of their collaboration. Come on, let's go for the Weelz retrospective! 2024!

January: bicycle mobility is also in the countryside

Contrary to popular belief, cycling is not reserved for urban areas. In January, we explored five exemplary initiatives aimed at promoting the use of bicycles in rural areas. Whether creating suitable infrastructure or promoting alternative modes of transport, these projects demonstrate that the countryside can also become fertile ground for active mobility. Far from the hustle and bustle of the cities, cycling finds a new vocation here: reconnecting residents to their environment while reducing their dependence on the car.

February: electric assistance or not? The match

In February, we brought to the table a debate that often animates the cycling community: should we ride with or without electric assistance? On the one hand, the classic bicycle (without assistance) seduces by its mechanical simplicity, its reduced cost and the purity of the physical effort it requires. On the other hand, the electrically assisted bicycle (VAE) democratizes everyday travel by making journeys more accessible, particularly in hilly regions or for longer distances. Articles which did not fail to make our readers react, in one direction or the other.

March: riding single-sex to free speech

In March, Sandra highlighted female initiatives of cyclists who meet single-sex. These spaces allow people to speak out about cycling experiences that are sometimes marked by discrimination or a feeling of insecurity. These communities, by sharing their stories and organizing exclusively female outings, are redefining cycling as a tool for emancipation. They also show the importance of inclusiveness in the cycling world, which is still often perceived, experienced and observed, as dominated by men.

April: relaunch the French bicycle industry

In April, we took a dive into French industrial ambitions with an investment plan of 55 million euros to revitalize the bicycle industry. This call for projects was part of a desire to repatriate part of the production to the national territory. Rethinking the “made in France” bicycle industry at the heart of the debate. A story of economic sovereignty that can also create local jobs while meeting the growing demand for active means of transportation.

May: the future is the compact bike

May 2024 on Weelz! : a spotlight on a category of bicycles on the rise: compact bicycles. These small models combine the maneuverability of a folding bike (without necessarily being one) with the performance of a classic bike. Ideal for urban journeys, it stands out as a practical solution for city cyclists looking for versatility and a vehicle that is easy to store. With ever more dense urban spaces, this type of bike could well become the number one choice for city cyclists. And elsewhere? Nothing is less certain.

June: making France the world’s leading destination for cycle tourism

Cycle tourism is booming, and France wants to make it a driving force behind its tourist attractiveness. In June, Jérôme analyzed the government's ambitions to make the country the leading global destination for cycling enthusiasts by 2030. This ambitious objective is based on increased development of cycling infrastructure, enhancement of natural landscapes and a suitable welcome. for cycle tourists. A challenge which, if met, could establish France as a world reference in this area.

July: your first family cycling vacation

Summer is the ideal season to embark on a cycling trip, especially with the family. In July, Loïc gave us twelve practical tips for organizing a successful first experience with children. Choosing the right routes, adapting the equipment, planning fun stages… These recommendations aim to make this adventure accessible to everyone. Traveling by bike as a family also means discovering a slower pace of life, where you fully enjoy every moment.

August: a woman at the top of the Silk Road Mountain Race

In August, Hannah Simon's feat made a lasting impression. This cyclist became the first woman to complete the fearsome Silk Road Mountain Race, an extreme race through the mountains of Kyrgyzstan. An accomplishment requiring mental and physical strength. Ultradistance is a practice in which we can see the growing role of women in this extreme discipline.

September: inclusiveness in the world of cycling

In September, Yann told us the inspiring story of M'hamed, a blind bicycle mechanic. This testimony broke the clichés about the accessibility of professions linked to cycling and reminded us that passion and skill transcend physical barriers. This meeting also illustrates the need for a more inclusive cycling world, at all levels.

October: sadness and anger in the cycling community

In October, tragedy struck with the murder of Paul Varry, a cyclist and activist, by a motorist. This tragedy shook the cycling community and reignited the debate on the safety of cyclists in public spaces. This tragedy reminds us that it is not enough to share the road. That profound changes are necessary to protect those who choose the bicycle as a means of transportation.

November: electric fat bikes under the microscope

Electric fat bikes, these imposing bicycles often imported at low prices, are invading European cities. In November, we dissected the reasons for this craze, which is difficult to explain. Heaviness, unsuitability for urban spaces, questionable aesthetics and geometry.

December: suggestions for gravel itineraries

To end the year on a note of escape, Claude Droussent offered us a selection of gravel routes between Paris and Nevers. Traces that combine road and paths, for amateur cyclists as well as experienced cyclists, looking for freedom and challenges. The Centre-Loire, with its hilly landscapes and bucolic paths, offers an ideal playground for this practical adventure.

Here we go, another year has passed. Above you have a simple overview of our editorial production, and the different themes covered. We end with the five articles that were the most successful in terms of audience. Sometimes expected successes; surprising from time to time. The ways of Lord Google are often inscrutable.

Recently, more than 70,000 readers were interested in our article discussing the new decree “banning” flashing bicycle lights.

And you, what cycling moments marked your year 2024? Share your feedback with us, and keep riding with Weelz!. Many thanks for your loyalty! We wish you a great New Year’s Eve. See you in 2025 (on a bike, of course!).