Mobility and road safety: cycling practices at the core of the Mobil'in Pulse congress
Cycling practices took center stage at the Mobil’in Pulse 2025 Congress, held on January 21-22, bringing together key players in the transportation and mobility sectors. The congress highlighted the latest innovations in road safety and user protection, strengthened exchanges between decision-makers and solution providers, and paved the way for ambitious new projects.
PARIFEX took part in this must-attend 52nd edition. The French manufacturer seized the opportunity to showcase its advancements in road control technologies and share its expertise on critical road safety issues.
The congress featured a rich program of conferences, with cycling emerging as a recurring and impactful theme.
In light of the recent stagnation in cycling adoption across France, several industry stakeholders — including Energies Nouvelles, Cerema, and Transitec — are analyzing cyclist behaviors through extensive studies and developing innovative solutions to promote more sustainable mobility and user coexistence.
Focus on the main conferences
Cycling in France: a slowdown ahead?
As the transportation sector remains the leading emitter of greenhouse gas in France, cycling is gradually emerging as a sustainable alternative. Between 2010 and 2023, its adoption saw a significant increase, rising from 3% to 11%.
However, 2024 appears to mark a stagnation. To better understand this trend, experts from Energies Nouvelles, public research, innovation and training organisation in the fields of energy, transport and the environment, are implementing observation and analysis tools—such as bicycle counting and bike-sharing systems—to gather precise statistics.
According to an Energies Nouvelles expert, “This allows us to create a comprehensive picture of cyclist behaviors, anticipate future needs, and promote greener mobility in the years ahead.”
GPS data is reinventing urban mobility
Cerema, a public institution dedicated to innovation in transportation, urban planning, and the environment, has introduced a groundbreaking approach to analyzing urban cycling practices using GPS data. This method relies on key indicators such as speed, elevation, and a cycling suitability index, enabling precise assessment of how well routes align with existing cycling infrastructure.
By engaging local volunteers equipped with applications like GPS Logger or IGNrando, the study gathered valuable data. Figures revealed that cyclists in the French city of Bordeaux are predominantly men under 50, using non-electric bicycles.
Moreover, the analysis showed that the highest speeds were recorded on bike lanes and bus-bike shared lanes. “These results have led to the development of a simple, cost-effective, and participatory method designed for local authorities seeking to evaluate and improve cycling practices in their region,” concludes a Cerema representative.
High-quality bicycle networks: solutions for smoother cycling
Transitec, a consultancy specializing in sustainable mobility, has examined the challenges and solutions for cyclists using high-quality bicycle networks — structured cycling infrastructure designed for high service levels. The study focused on two key aspects: intersection design and infrastructure adaptation based on local contexts.
While unilateral lane placement is often the preferred approach, data indicate that it rarely meets the growing needs of cyclists. In contrast, bilateral lane placement proves more effective for high-traffic cycling networks. According to a Transitec expert, “It is crucial to integrate intersections into the overall design of cycling infrastructure and to tailor solutions based on whether the area is a dense urban zone or a less populated region.”
The goal is to enhance the appeal of high-quality bicycle networks across metropolitan France and better address the challenges of sustainable mobility.
