A pedestrian walks as a cyclist rides his bicycle across the Pont de Grenelle with the Eiffel Tower in background, over the river Seine in Paris.
A pedestrian walks as a cyclist rides his bicycle across the Pont de Grenelle with the Eiffel Tower in background, over the river Seine in Paris. Image Credit: AFP

Paris: Bicycles have passed cars as a means of transport in Paris according to a recent study, a city official said Thursday.

"Ten years ago who could have predicted that bicycles would overtake cars. Yet, it's happened," deputy mayor in charge of transport David Belliard posted on X.

The study by the Institut Paris Region, an urban planning agency, found that Parisians opted for bicycles for 11.2 per cent of their trips within the city itself, compared to only 4.3 per cent for cars.

Walking was the option for most trips at 53.5 per cent, followed by public transport at 30 per cent.

The study conducted between October 2022 and April 2023 followed 3,337 Paris region residents aged 16 to 80 whose movements were tracked and who filled out travel journals.

Paris has been investing heavily in bike lanes and has reduced the number of car parking spaces as part of measures to meet climate change goals.

Cars are still the top means of transportation in the Paris suburbs, but it is hoped that a major expansion of suburban metro lines that is underway will help reduce the use of personal vehicles that are a major source of air pollution and carbon emissions.