The revolt against the 50 km/h limit on the Paris ring road is intensifying. Supported by two associations, 500 road users filed a legal appeal to obtain the annulment of this controversial measure, according to Le Figaro.
Paris ring road: a massive appeal against the limitation to 50 km/h
Two months after the introduction of the new speed limit, the protest has taken on an unprecedented scale. 500 motorists, bikers and road professionals came together to appeal to the Paris administrative court, denouncing a measure they consider arbitrary. This collective, formed thanks to the Legal Riposte platform, is supported by two associations: the League for the Defense of Drivers and the French Federation of Angry Bikers (FFMC). According to Me Séverine Manna, their advisor, at the origin of the creation of this platform with her colleague Me Rémy Philippot, “ Paris town hall made this decision without respecting the necessary legal procedures ».
The arguments put forward by the plaintiffs are based on several legal points. The lawyers claim that the town hall did not have the authority to change the speed alone on this ring road classified as a “major traffic road”. Me Rémy Josseaume, representing the League for the Defense of Drivers, recalls au Figaro that « the opinion of the police chief was essential to validate such a decision “. Furthermore, the absence of a public consultation in accordance with the rules reinforces the supposed illegality of the municipal decree. The appeals also highlight contradictions in the application of the hierarchy of standards, criticizing the change from 70 km/h to 50 km/h by simple decree.
Negative impacts on road users
Beyond questions of legality, many users highlight the practical consequences of this limitation. Rémi, a 57-year-old Parisian entrepreneur, deplores au Figaro a significant waste of time: On a U-turn on the ring road on a scooter, I lose 10 minutes. » At the same time, other motorists desert the ring road to take the streets within the walls, worsening traffic jams in Paris. Taxis, VTCs and transporters say they are particularly impacted by this measure, deemed unsuitable for the needs of road professionals.
The town hall's stated objective of reducing noise pollution and improving air quality is also being called into question. Data from official reports show a 113% increase in accidents on the ring road between October 2023 and October 2024, contradicting the argument for better road safety. Finally, the comparison with the streets of Paris intramural, which are more accident-prone, illustrates that the expected effects are not there.
