A busy road in Montpellier is closed to cars this Sunday, October 24, 2021: avenue de la Liberté. There are no works or problems on the track: this is the first of “Breathing Sundays“, an ecological initiative of the City. Only bicycles, scooters and pedestrians can use the avenue. Activities, accessible on presentation of the health pass, are organized on the road.
A highway for bicycles
Erwin came with his wooden bicycle. “Now we feel really free on the avenue of liberty, he smiles. It’s weird, because normally it’s crowded with cars. But it’s good! I see the children with their scooters … It’s unheard of!“Magali also came by bicycle with her children. She lives nearby.”Since this morning, it’s calm, it will do us good“she laughs.
“Honestly, riding down the avenue de la Liberté by bike is a real treat“, admits Maud Le Hay, president of Vieux Biclou. This association, which organizes bicycle self-repair workshops, runs a stand on Avenue de la Liberté. On the car side, some people complain of being targeted. For Maud Le Hay, the stake is not here. “The idea is not to fight against the car but to show that there are other ways of getting around!“
Dance, unicycle or boxing
– Clara GUICHON
Animations are organized all day, until 5 pm, on a portion of the avenue located on the side of the place of May 8, 1945. Stands are set up to offer you boxing or unicycle initiation. You can also attend a dance or music show. And if you are hungry, food trucks are on site.
Avenue de la Liberté will again be open to road traffic from midnight. Deviations are not always indicated on the roads. The City of Montpellier should organize this event every last Sunday of the month. The location of this initiative changes every week.
– Clara GUICHON