The city of Perpignan obtains a score of 2.49/6 the last barometer of the FUB (Federation of Bicycle Users), which places it in rank F, “unfavorable”, for cycling in the city center. Badly indicated cycle paths, in streets in the opposite direction, no continuity once you arrive at a crossroads, these are arguments regularly put forward by user associations in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
If these arrangements were more favourable, there could be three times as many cyclists in Perpignan says Philippe Poisse, independent ecologist: “It is estimated that they are only 5%, they could be at least 15%”. For this, the city would have to change its policy on soft mobility, according to Nicolas Berjoan, departmental referent EELV: “We need more space for bicycles, more clean cycle paths and a little less space of course for the car.”
“Perpignan is 25 years behind in terms of road development” – David Tranchecoste, mobility assistant
There are still efforts to be made, concedes the town hall of Perpignan, which nevertheless underlines progress made over the past two years. “There are bike repair stations, we went through some 30 zones because there is also the problem of cars and shared lanes”lists David Tranchecoste, delegate for mobility, who also wishes to recall that “Perpignan is 25 years behind in terms of road development. We will need a little time”.
A bike path between downtown and Saint-Charles
The town hall is also defending a new project: developing the routes of the Basse to create a single bike path between downtown and Saint-Charles. An ecocide project and too expensive according to the Greens. There are already paths along Avenue Julien Panchot that can be easily converted. “The Chemin d’Orle and the Chemin du Mas Juanole are already used by pedestrians, secure and planted with trees”, explains Philippe Poisse. A solution also more respectful of the environment according to him.
For the elected representative in charge of mobility, these arguments are a little premature, the project is still under study. What’s more, “There will be no problem with anything that is nature, plantations. There is just one place where they are flowering laurels. So there is no problem of uprooting trees”, adds David Tranchecoste. A project estimated at 1.5 million euros by the town hallcorn “we must take into account the subsidies that may be granted by other institutions”underlines the assistant.