Motorized Violence in Paris: Who Is to Blame?

Condemning the criminal behavior of some drivers in Paris and elsewhere is a priority, but can’t we do more and better?

The eternal question of punishment versus education is more relevant than ever in light of the tragic events that have deeply affected the cycling community in Paris. As the Paris Council opens this week, Paris en Selle and Mieux se Déplacer à Bicyclette are calling on the Mayor of Paris and the Police Prefect to unite their efforts to protect cyclists against motorized violence. And the associations have the insight not to limit their grievances to the behavior of a minority of completely irresponsible drivers, but to provide an overview of traffic infrastructure that is completely unsuitable or even poorly designed.

Honking, insults, dangerous overtaking, and even physical assaults must be condemned with the utmost severity — this is obvious. A driver recognized as dangerous should no longer be allowed to drive for the safety of vulnerable users of public space. But not all motorists are hopeless cases, and it is always possible to change behaviors with minimal education and support.

But the top priority emphasized by the associations is to improve infrastructure to secure cyclists, by ensuring the continuity of the Parisian bike lane network by the end of the current term and by upgrading the 200 most dangerous intersections in the capital.

Most serious accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists occur at intersections, particularly due to blind spots when motorized vehicles turn. Among the thousands of Parisian intersections, associations have identified for each district the 10 most dangerous intersections that need to be secured quickly. These intersections could be easily and promptly secured with minor measures such as ground markings and bollards in the first half of 2025.

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