Paris, second in global urban mobility

A study conducted by the Oliver Wyman Forum and the University of Berkeley ranks Paris second among 70 major cities mentioned in the study.

This will give more ammunition to pro-Hidalgo advocates. The joint study by Oliver Wyman Forum and Berkeley University classifies 70 major cities worldwide in a report on urban mobility. The City of Light lands in second place in this ranking, notably thanks to the increasingly extensive pedestrian and cycling infrastructure in Paris. Emphasis on public transportation and the sidelining of cars are also mentioned.

Paris ranks second with a score of 66% in this study published annually since 2019. Three criteria define this ranking: sustainable mobility, public transportation, and the adoption of technology, a new addition to the list. Paris appears in the top 10 in each category and even fifth in terms of public transit.

Paris, surprising second place

The study highlights the 250 million euros invested by the city between 2021 and 2026 to build approximately 180 km of bike lanes. Paris also benefited from bike paths constructed for the 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The slowed-down ring road to 50 km/h and the implementation of a restricted traffic zone (ZTL) also assist in this ranking.

In terms of transportation, the study is effusive and even mentions an “excellent metro system”. The study references the 500 million euros invested by Paris to expand Line 14, which is efficient and accessible to people with disabilities. The Grand Paris project is also discussed and exemplifies the city’s desire to improve its public transport offerings.

On the other hand, the adoption of technology is not Paris’s strong suit. San Francisco, for example, ranks first due to the large number of autonomous vehicles in circulation. But worldwide, the number of cities adopting technologies like autonomous buses or flying taxis remains small, allowing Paris to stay relatively high in this ranking.

All that remains is for Tesla’s robotaxis to arrive, and Paris could clinch the top spot in the global urban mobility ranking. Parisians love to complain, but the facts are there.

Also read: Public transportation still getting more expensive in Île-de-France