Since April 11, the southern boulevards of Clermont-Ferrand have reopened with two-way traffic and with cycle paths. We wanted to know which was the fastest means of transport between the car and the electric scooter.
That’s it, after months of work, the end of the tunnel has arrived. the southern boulevards of Clermont-Ferrand. For two weeks, Côte Blatin, Jean Jaures and Aristide Briand boulevards have reopened in two-way traffic and with cycle paths. For several months, residents and motorists have been complaining about traffic jams. But when it comes to cyclists and scooters, it’s more the road to happiness for soft mobility. What is it really? Which means of transport goes the fastest? We tested for you.
Test conditions
On the one hand, a city car, everything that is most classic. On the day of the test, it was downpour and wet road weather-wise. It is midday when we pass from Boulevard Lafayette to Boulevard Côte Blatin. Traffic speed and traffic lights respected of course.
The other, an electric scooterclassic too. Restricted to 25km/h and respecting the lights installed for the cycle path. The test was carried out on a cloudy day early in the afternoon.
South-North direction: Car 0 vs Scooter 1
We begin the experience from Boulevard Côte Blatin to take the new direction of traffic. On the road, few cars still use this axis in the south-north direction. It will still take time to integrate it into the habits of Clermont motorists. After the work, we noticed that the lights were not all coordinated to go up the boulevards in one go. But overall, it goes well until the entrance to Chamalières. No traffic jams observed at midday. Final time: 8 minutes and 03 seconds.
On a scooter, it’s even quieter since the cycle path lights are well coordinated. We pass many cyclists and scooter riders on the gentle lane. Some bikes do not yet respect the traffic lights, a habit to adopt we say. When the time comes for cars to give priority to two wheels, we feel a certain annoyance. But no danger to report during our experience. Final time: 3 minutes 50 seconds.
Scooter victory.
North-South direction: Car 0 vs Scooter 2
In the usual direction of traffic, it’s a different story for the car. If the boulevards seem rather clear at the entrance to Boulevard Aristide Briand, things get worse a little further on. From the Saint-Jacques bridge, traffic jams are legion. And even with a good music playlist, time takes a long time. Arriving vehicles too laterallynot easy to make your way. Final time: 15 minutes 52almost twice as much as on the way out.
On the other hand, for two wheels like the scooter, no problem. Traffic is smooth, we enjoy the sun’s rays and the trees shaken by a light breeze. From our scooter, it’s hard not to see the cars stopped at red lights or in traffic jams. And above all the crestfallen looks of certain car drivers. Final time: 4 minutes 05 seconds
The scooter wins again.
Conclusion: victory by knockout of the scooter
It is obvious that at different times and days the scooter could be slowed down by traffic or weather conditions. But the observation is clear: the car has largely lost this experience. We’re not going to hide it from you… we kind of expected it.
The city of Clermont-Ferrand is banking on soft mobility to reduce pollution and the place of the individual car in the city. The car is certainly more comfortable and practical if you live outside the Auvergne capital. But during rush hours, traffic jams turn out to be endless. And again, it was “only” midday in our experience. At 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., travel times sometimes more than double.
It is clear that a Clermontois who travels in Clermont-Ferrand has no interest in taking the car. By bike, scooter, rollerblades or skateboard, it is clear that the time saving is undeniable. And what’s more, it’s a bit of a workout.
