The aim of the cycling tour was to experience Paris by bike and reflect on the ‘Plan Vélo’ and how it is being implemented. To this end, several meetings were held with stakeholders

• Input and bike tour with the cycling associations Collectif Vélo Île de France & Paris en Selle
• Input and discussion with Cérema (an authority that prepares guidelines and principles for bicycle traffic planning)
• Input and walk with Forschungsbüro 6t – focus on sharing
• Input and discussion with FUB (a cycling association involved in developing guidelines and processing national subsidies)

In addition to the programme organised by the teaching team, the students also organised some activities themselves, such as a bike rally to familiarise themselves with the cycle path network, particularly the fast cycle paths in Paris. Despite the autumnal weather, the students cycled over 80 kilometres and gained a wide range of impressions of cycling in Paris. Their observations and discussions revealed a number of key findings:

Firstly, as public transport in Paris is heavily congested, leading to traffic jams and delays, especially during rush hour, bicycles offer a fast and flexible alternative. Some cycle paths are already well developed and a number of car lanes have been converted into cycle paths. However, challenges remain due to the shared use of lanes by buses, bicycles, and delivery traffic, as well as at intersections where complex traffic flows converge. One of the students' self-organised programme items focused on this issue: they planned a 'perfect intersection' and developed their own proposed solutions. Cultural aspects also influence the traffic situation, such as the widespread lax attitude towards red lights in Paris, which frequently leads to conflicts.

The excursion offered valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges of promoting urban cycling, demonstrating the importance of integrated planning and raising awareness for a sustainable transition to mobility.