The Collective of Defenders of Lyon & Grand Lyon reveals the results of citizen consultation on urban projects
In 2020, Grégory Doucet was elected mayor of Lyon with more than 50 % of the vote. The environmentalist then began an ambitious pedestrianization and urbanization plan, leading to numerous works in the city. Since the middle of the year 2024, disputes have multiplied around these projects, in particular because of the delays caused in car trips and difficult access to the city center.
The Collective of Defenders of Lyon & Grand Lyon
Faced with this dissatisfaction and what they perceive as a “Lack of transparency” On the part of the metropolis, residents and professionals form the apolitical collective of the defenders of Lyon & Grand Lyon in May 2024. The latter critic “The absence of impact studies”especially for traders whose turnover is in free fall.
On October 31, the collective decided to launch a citizen consultation which he presents as “Neutral and objective” to denounce and open dialogue with the metropolis, qualified as “Brutales” in its methods. This consultation takes the form of an accessible online survey. But it should be noted that the collective is not a survey institute.
The responses, based on volunteer, cannot therefore be considered representative of the Lyon population. For example, we do not know the distribution by age group of the participants, and the dissatisfied are more inclined to respond.
Results without surprise
Unsurprisingly, the results are mainly unfavorable to the development of the city. Out of 3,394 respondents in 2 months, 75 % are residents of Greater Lyon and 25 % of professionals. The most disputed work is:
- Track narrowing: 78 % unfavorable
- Closing the peninsula: 70 % unfavorable
- The extension of the ZFE: 61 % unfavorable
- The narrowing of the street serves: 64 % unfavorable
The collective denounces a “Total contempt for the mayor of Lyon” and a “Inability to listen”. For them, the metropolis seeks to “Limit access to the center”which would have economic consequences for businesses, particularly those of the peninsula given the limited access for consumers to come by car. The concern of traders is reinforced by recent closures of historical shops like Adrien, Benoît-Guyot or the wicker in 2024.
-A member of the collective illustrates the situation with the example of a business chef who puts “120 minutes to travel 12 kilometers by car every morning”. The majority of respondents consider these developments as a problem for the local economy, but also for their daily life and their mobility.
A lack of alternatives and a feeling of insecurity
Beyond the work themselves, it is the lack of viable solutions and alternatives that crystallizes dissatisfaction. “Life will change everywhere and it's good to do it, but you have to do it much more intelligently”comments Cristophe Cédat, member of the collective. The public transport is insufficient for them, and evokes an dependence on the car still too large.
The feeling of insecurity and, the “Damage of the living environment” also grows. “With all these scooters and bikes on the sidewalks, there are people who tell us that they are afraid to leave their home”adds another member.
A call for mobilization
The collective hopes that these results will make it possible to open a constructive dialogue with the metropolis and to rethink these projects: “We love the city of Lyon but they cannot pretend that we do not exist”. A collective petition can be signed online and already has more than 13,000 signatures.
The defenders of Lyon and Greater Lyon call for a mobilization of civil society, great business leaders or Lyon decision -makers. Residents and professionals are also called to join the movement to open dialogue with the Metropolis of Lyon in order to replace the various projects.
