For the past couple of weeks I have been eating, drinking, and biking my way through France. My wife and I spent a week honeymooning in Provence and another week in Paris.
Provence
We spent the first week of our honeymoon cycling through the heart of wine country in Provence. Our tour was organized by Headwater and was truly epic. When you travel on a bicycle you get to fully experience your surroundings. You smell the country side, you feel your environment and you interact with the locals. There is something about traveling on a bicycle; for those that have done it you know what I’m talking about. For those of you that haven’t, you should really consider it. You can find our itinerary here.
Arriving in Cotignac
Elevated crosswalk in Carces used to calm traffic
Bollards used to protect pedestrians and calm traffic. Notice how the street and sidewalk are the same grade
No sidewalk? Not a problem, just create a space for pedestrians by striping
Paris
I can’t say enough about how wonderful this city is. Unlike Miami, most motorists actually yield to pedestrians. All intersections are clearly marked with wide zebra crosswalks. I also noticed that the pedestrian crosswalk signals are much lower than the pedestrian crosswalk signals here in the United States. Placing the pedestrian crosswalk signal closer to eye level makes it easier for both pedestrians and motorists to notice them. Also, traffic lights are placed before the crosswalk and not in the middle of intersections. By placing the traffic lights before the crosswalk it forces motorists to stop before the crosswalk, giving pedestrians the right of way they deserve. Another feature I also observed was the pedestrian fences. In areas where pedestrians should not cross the street, tasteful pedestrians fence have been erected to coral the pedestrians towards the large zebra crosswalk. Sidewalks, for the most part, were wide and inviting.
Notice how motorists are forced to stop before the crosswalk when traffic signals are not located in the intersection.
Traffic signals are placed before the crosswalk and not in the intersections.
Sidewalks are wide, making the public realm more inviting to walk
The Velib bicycle share system in Paris is absolutely spectacular. Because Paris is so walkable, I only used it once, but the system was very easy to use and was well connected to mass transit. I was amazed to see Parisians from all walks of life using the Velib bicycles. I saw stylish women and men using the bicycles, as well as businessmen, businesswomen and the elderly using the Velib.
A fleet of Velibs
Bicycles lane were clearly marked and in many areas were allowed to share the bus-only lanes. Buses are equipped with an electrical horn that sounds like a bicycle bell. Bus drivers use this electrical bicycle bell to politely warn cyclists and pedestrians that the bus is coming.
Bike boxes give cyclists priority in the transit queue
Chevron arrows through an intersection
Chevron arrows across an intersection into a protected bicycle path
Bicyclists can share the bus lane
The metro and the bus system are easy to use. At the metro stations and bus stops there are electrical boards advising transit users when the next train or bus will arrive.
The next bus arrives in 2 minutes
Next train arrives in 3 minutes
Most crosswalks have provisions for the blind and I even found a train station that had a textured path that could be felt with a walking cane.
Textured path to help guide the blind in a train station
Most crosswalks have provisions to help guide the blind
Parks are scattered throughout Paris. The parks I entered were active and drew a wide array of people of different ages.
Children playing in one of the many park of Paris
Lounging in the warm afternoon Paris sun
Paris recycles; Miami does not.
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