Pedal slats. This Friday, the Metropolis inaugurated the new cycling facilities created as part of the Véloligne network, which aims to connect the municipalities of the metropolis together.
“You will see me for the first time on a bike”, jokes Cyril Meunier, before getting on the electric two-wheeler. The mayor of Lattes admits, he is not a great cyclist. “I’m going to get started.”, promises the councilor. Because recently, the city has acquired several kilometers of secure cycle paths, presented to the public this Friday.
Fewer cars, more bikes
From the Pont du Lez to the crossroads of Europe, Avenue de l’Europe has been completely redeveloped. The 2X2 lane has been reduced to 2X1 lane to make way for a two-way cycle path. This development connects to the cycle path created on RM 189 – Avenue de Boirargues. A few kilometers away, the RM 132 – Route de Pérols has also chosen to reduce the space granted to motorists in order to ensure continuity of the Lattes-Pérols connecting cycle path. On the Avenue de Boirargues side, a space dedicated to cyclists has also been created.
The work lasted almost a year, during which time some motorists, exasperated by the nuisance caused by the construction sites, violently demonstrated their discontent. “The workers were badly mistreated. A petition calling for my death was even published online”denounces Cyril Meunier. “We are not anti-car at all, tempers Michaël Delafosse, mayor of Montpellier. There needs to be a fair distribution of space, whether for trams, cars or bicycles.”
Véloligne, soon 235 km of cycle paths
The developments on Avenue de Boirargues and Route de Pérols are both part of the Véloligne cycle path network. Made up of some 235 km, this network aims to connect the municipalities of the metropolis to each other. 65% of the network should be effective before the end of the mandate in 2026.
“This project aims to be a real bicycle highway”, explains Julie Frêche, vice-president of Montpellier Méditerranée Métropole. Line B, a section of which Lattes is a part, should connect the Montpellier Sud de France TGV station in a loop around the metropolis. Line A will connect Juvignac and Castelnau le Lez, line C will provide the Carnon – Juvignac axis while line D will connect Mauguio to Castries.
“The metropolis saw its number of cyclists increase considerably from 2022 to 2023”, points out Julie Frêche. The Montpellier Vélolignes should amplify this trend. €150 million must be dedicated to active mobility from 2021 to 2026.
