Paris pedestrian plan: more sidewalks, fewer cars?

By 2030, there will be a major transformation in the capital. The plan is to pedestrianize Paris on a large scale, which will naturally reduce the space available for cars.

This news is likely to frustrate Parisian motorists. On Friday, November 17, the Paris town hall introduced a new plan called the “pedestrian plan.” The goal is to significantly pedestrianize the city and promote walking. While this is positive for pedestrians, it could have a substantial impact on Parisian motorists, who have already been facing challenges since the arrival of cycle paths in 2020.

So, what does this plan, which will cost taxpayers 300 million euros, include? Let’s break it down.

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Pedestrianization and Sidewalk Expansion

The main feature of the project is to return the streets to Parisians as much as possible. The aim is to create “more than 100 hectares of pedestrian spaces,” equivalent to 121 football fields, by 2026. This will include pedestrianizing 100 new streets, creating 50 new “streets for children,” building new pedestrian squares, and more.

Affirming Pedestrian Priority and Strengthening Controls

To achieve this, there will be a reduction in the number and flow of motorized vehicles, the implementation of a Limited Traffic Area, and the strengthening of police operations to combat excessive speed and non-respect of pedestrian priority. Additional measures include equipping municipal police officers with radar binoculars and sound level meters.

Measures Against Motorists

Additional measures against motorists include the removal of parking within a 5-meter strip upstream and downstream of pedestrian crossings, reducing speed to 30 km/h on Parisian roads, and combatting excessive use of horns and sirens.

To read about all the measures of the plan, visit the Official page of the city of Paris.