Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bertrand Delanoë

Unintended Consequences of Paris’s Traffic-Reduction Policies

paris_traffic.jpg
Red lights mean gridlock on this real-time map of Parisian road traffic.

During the launch of Paris's new streetcar system last month, a Times of London wrote that Parisians are beginning to turn against Mayor Bertrand Delanoe's aggressive traffic reduction measures:

Paris residents, most of whom do not drive much, were until recently happy with the anti-car policies of Delanoe's Socialist-Greens administration. The mayor put a brake on the "all-car" policies that reached their peak in the 1970s when Presidents Pompidou and Giscard d'Estaing drove free-ways into and around the city and turned the Seine embankment and boulevards into traffic arteries.

Now Parisians dislike the unintended consequences of Delanoe's crusade: an invasion of noisy scooters and motorcycles and a rise in accidents involving pedestrian and motorcyclists. A big factor in the death toll are the wide bus lanes that run in the opposite direction to traffic. People walk into them without looking and they are often used by motorcycles and other traffic. An Ipsos poll by the conservative le Figaro today found that while 52 percent of the city approves of Delanoe's mayoralty, 68 percent are now opposed to his traffic policy.

Photo: Suskela/Flickr 

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

SEE IT: Mets Pitcher Sean Manaea Is Just Another Guy On The Subway

As the beloved Amazin's open a crucial homestead, we took a subway ride to Citi Field with a man on whose arm depends everything. The ride, at least, was no big deal for this veteran commuter.

September 12, 2025

DOT Canal Street Plan Adds Pedestrian Space, Bike Route, But Next Mayor Must Think Bigger

The changes are a good start, but Canal Street deserves a radical transformation.

September 12, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: In Spite of You Edition

A new report shows NYC DOT can accomplish a lot when the mayor cuts his meddling. Plus more news.

September 12, 2025

Jay Z-Backed Times Square Casino Shrinks Sidewalks and Bus Lanes to Serve More Cars

New Yorkers aren't only gambling with their future inside the casino: Developer SL Green wants to remove a bus lane and the 19-foot "super sidewalks" installed on Eighth Avenue just three years ago.

September 11, 2025

The Explainer: Council Seeks to Ban Sale of E-Bikes That Can Go 25MPH

A new city council bill would ban the sale of Class 3 e-bikes, which are only allowed in NYC and can reach speeds of 25 mph.

September 11, 2025

West Side Community Board Fails to Back Safety Over Parking

Oh, they're fine with safety ... as long as parking comes first. No, seriously, that's what they did.

September 11, 2025
See all posts