The City of Bourges updates its pocket guide, a real Swiss army knife for cyclists

After a first version distributed in Bourges in 2018, the municipality is renewing its leaflet aimed at occasional and everyday cyclists. The document available at the town hall, in the annexes and at the Bourges tourist office, “easy to use”, assures Régis Mautré, municipal councilor responsible for Cycling actions and cycle paths, brings together on its front the main related services by bike, and on the back a map of the axes with cycling facilities.

premium Cycling facilities, aid for purchasing bicycles, app: the Bourges Plus intercommunal bicycle plan is being rolled out

Cycle paths and lanes are referenced, but not only that. “We have indicated the meeting areas and cohabitation areas with cars, pedestrians or buses, important areas where cycling has its place,” he specifies. We therefore find the roads limited to 30 km/h, the link with the “Canal de Berry by bike”, but also the gentle connection to the city center, avenue de Dun, boulevard Joffre, rue Barbès, etc. , and the track under construction on the Upper Bridge.

The Routard of the Berruyer cyclist

This folded ten by ten centimeter square also serves as a reminder to find bicycle-related services. On one side of the flyer, an up-to-date listing of charging stations for electric bikes. And also secure boxes including the latest ones installed at the station or in Lahitolle park, “but also those in strategic locations, in Val d’Auron, at the Leïla-Slimani media library”, continues the municipal councilor.

We find the hoops installed during the year and increasingly coveted, indicates Anne Paepegaey, project manager at the environment department in the city of Bourges, with the procedure to follow to request new installations, via the city’s Castor + reporting platform. “The requests are studied by the services, and validated if they are justified. And there is stock! », a commitment at the request of the mayor, Yann Galut.The leaflet will be available in the main town halls, annexes and at the tourist office. © Tristan-Sacha B.

Rules for traveling safely between users

The guide reviews new features on public roads such as the small signs that appear at certain intersections, the M12, but also travel instructions. Pedestrian crossings, sidewalks, bus lanes… Where to set foot on the ground, where are bicycles prohibited and allowed under certain conditions? Reminders for all road users, pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.

Possible freezing of the “Bicycle and active mobility plan”

This guide will be updated as new areas are created. Among them, the connection between Bourges and La Chapelle-Saint-Ursin. New infrastructure which risks becoming scarce if government aid via the Cycling and Active Mobility Plan was eliminated during the debates on the State budget for 2025, in Parliament.

Stéphane Garcia, mayor of Saint-Just and vice-president of Bourges Plus in charge of the Intermunicipal Bicycle Plan, is worried about this situation: “It’s wasted time and money. We make commitments that the State advises us with fund insurance, then everything stops.” Bourges Plus could be deprived of 950,000 euros, even though the current intercommunal bicycle plan is only 3/4 complete.

The Bourges Plus agglomeration deploys the means to develop cycle paths

Not affected by this possible government reversal, the bicycle bonus will be renewed this year, for the purchase of electric, classic, cargo or folding cycles. Soon to be voted on by the community council, “this grant has benefited more than 400 people over the last two years”, a enthusiasm which reinforces the commitment of the city and Bourges Plus in the development of infrastructure and services, supports Anne Paepegaey.

Still in discussion with the Mon Cher Vélo association to manage their actions, the city encourages users to have their bicycle marked, a compulsory registration with the purchase of any new cycle, and recommended to prevent theft.

Tristan-Sacha Bruchet