CITIES all over the world are creating more livable environments with protected bike lanes in their urban fabric. Paris — recently the most prominent example following its hosting of the 2024 Olympics — has expanded its bike lane network by over 300 kilometers since 2014, under the leadership of Mayor Anne Hidalgo.

It effectively increased the number of bike-friendly streets in Paris by 35 percent. Hidalgo didn't just focus on bike lanes; she added over 100,000 secure bike parking spaces throughout the city. The results were phenomenal — around 11 percent of passenger trips around the city are now done by bicycle, compared to only 5 percent in 2019.