The meeting area on rue Delcassé in Foix: how to use it, who has priority, what is its objective? Sort out the truth from the fiction

Foix has a meeting area, since the redevelopment of rue Delcassé. A sign indicates it at the entrance to the Pont Vieux, mixing the drawing of a motorist, a cyclist and a pedestrian on a blue background, accompanied by a limit of 20 km/h. But it is still necessary to understand that this is an area which “seeks to allow pedestrians and vehicles to coexist peacefully in the same space, but also to allow the development of local life”, as the ‘indicates the Road Safety website.

The concept is not clear to everyone. In January, Guy Loszach, deputy in charge of works, said he was regularly scolded by users, who were not aware of this practice. Information panels should be installed in May to enlighten the population.

Roselyne, driving instructor, explains the characteristics of a meeting area, while the Fuxéans also give their opinions.

This area is easily identifiable by users

True and false

Roger, a motorist, doesn’t even understand the question. For him, it’s a classic road, and if a pedestrian is in the middle of the road, it will annoy him but he won’t run over him. Valentine likes the street but did not notice the sign at the entrance to the bridge. For Marina, hairdresser, “rue Delcassé has always been pedestrian, with traffic authorized for cars. But bicycles have the right to go down the street, crossing cars. And in any case, the pedestrian has priority everywhere.”

The pedestrian can do what he wants

FAKE

Certainly, the pedestrian is authorized to circulate on the road and benefits from priority over vehicles. But he doesn’t have to stand on the road for ten minutes when a car comes.

Bicycles travel in both directions

TRUE

All roads are two-way for cyclists, unless otherwise arranged by the municipality. In Foix, there is a marking on the ground indicating that you can go down the street, there are no signs prohibiting driving uphill. Jean-Marie goes down the street by bike, but by putting himself on the sidewalk, which cancels the spirit of the concept. “I prefer to ride on the sidewalk because cars are often surprised to see a cyclist in the opposite direction. At the bend further away, vehicles don’t necessarily see us. And I’m also wary of delivery trucks,” he says. .

This affects the speed of motorists

FAKE

If some drivers respect the 20 km/h, Marina, the hairdresser, ensures that many drive quickly. For Roselyne, the instructor: “It is not a meeting zone that will reduce speed. It is the mentality of motorists that must be changed, we must make them aware of the dangers of the road. Already in the zones at 30, they don’t respect them.”

Users feel safer

FAKE

On rue Delcassé, the sidewalks are at the same level as the roadway, since pedestrians can walk on them. These sidewalks are just demarcated by a buried border, which does not reassure Géraldine. “I only walk on the sidewalk where there are parking spaces for cars. They protect me. The sidewalk on the opposite side has no boundaries, it is not wide, a car can encroach on it while driving,” he says. She. “I often see vehicles hitting the sidewalk when turning,” adds Marina.

This area is of no interest compared to a classic road

True and false

As the pedestrian always has priority over a car, what is the point of establishing a meeting zone? Roselyne recognizes many similarities with a classical path. “In fact, in a meeting zone, we ask everyone to be even more vigilant. Even if the bike can travel in the wrong direction, they must be doubly careful. We will say that this serves to make motorists responsible. cities, it’s happening more and more.”

Users are more peaceful

FAKE

Several Fuxéans witnessed shouting matches between motorists and cyclists, the former being taken aback to come across a two-wheeler. It seems that some scenes were memorable.