hundreds of people gathered in the capital and several cities against “motorized violence”

Participants paid tribute on Saturday to Paul Varry, who died on the public highway, run over by a motorist with whom he had just had a dispute, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.

Several hundred people demonstrated emotionally on Saturday October 19 in Paris to demand an end to the “motorized violence” and demand measures to pacify coexistence between cyclists and motorists. An initiative taken a few days after the death of a 27-year-old cyclist in the capital.

Rallies also took place in front of the town halls of many other cities in France, at the call of Paris en saddle, the French Federation of Bicycle Users and the association Better Travel by Bicycle.

The participants, often coming by bike, gathered at Place de la République, in the center of Paris, under the slogans “less speed, more tenderness”, “walk or cycle, for peaceful streets”, “stop motorized violence”or even “police, don’t let us down”.

“Motorized violence kills. We want the public authorities to really take up the subject,” demanded Anne Monmarché, president of Paris en saddle, an association which campaigns to improve cycling conditions and claims a thousand members. “We must protect the most vulnerable. Paul is no longer there, but we are here”she added at the end of her speech, very moved.

The demonstrators in Paris respected a minute of silence at 5:45 p.m., the time when the drama unfolded, followed by a very long round of applause.

A delegation of cycling associations will be received Monday afternoon by the Minister of Transport, François Durovray. “The idea is to listen to the proposals of the associative actors representing cyclists with respect, in order to co-construct future policies together”said his office.