May is ‘bike month’ in France: how to get involved
Thousands of events are being held across the country to promote bike usage
Over 5,000 cycling events were held May last year
Robert Kneschke/Shutterstock
May 2025 Is the fifth anniversary of France’s Mai à vélo, a month-long drive to get people out on their bikes.
Thousands of events are organised throughout the month to showcase initiatives and programs in place throughout the country used to encourage cycling.
It focuses not only on those run by local authorities and public services but also businesses and charities across the country. Last year over 5,000 such events were held.
It is part of a wider push for people to use their bikes more in France, with world bike day following not soon after on June 3.
How do I take part?
The easiest way to check the upcoming events near you is use the official event map.
The interactive map shows all the events being held throughout the month, and allows you to enter the name of your local commune to localise results.
You can also filter information about the events (local authority, business, whether it is free or paid etc) and the date the events are being held.
Some areas are hosting biking challenges to encourage people to put their pedals into overdrive (if they so wish).
The website also allows you to set up your own event or challenge in the area, offering a practical planning guide and communication kit.
It will also show the event on the official map, above.
Biking gains ground in France…
The wider push to encourage cycling in recent years has yielded positive results.
Nearly 40% of people in France ride a bike at least once a month according to a 2024 government study.
The number of bikes owned in France is 0.5 per person (meaning that, on average, every other person owns a bike).
These two statistics combined roughly suggest almost 80% of bike owners use theirs at least once per month.
Several major cities also have bikeshare schemes, with users able to hire bikes for a single ride.
Certain departments, particularly in the south-west, are looking to expand existing bike-lane infrastructure in the coming years, both in urban and rural areas.
However, cyclists should be aware of recent new rules included in the Code de la route (road safety laws) that apply to them, as well as keep up with the general requirements for cyclists in France.
Read more: What equipment is obligatory for a cyclist in France in 2025?
… but government aids end
The French government previously offered aid towards manual and electric bike purchases for certain residents.
These bonuses, part of the bonus vélo and prime à la conversion schemes, ended in February 2025.
The government paid around €135 million as part of the scheme while it was running.
However, local schemes to help residents purchase a bike – particularly an electric one – may remain in place.
Check with your local mairie to see if any help is available.
Read more: LED lights tested on cycle lanes in France in bid to improve safety
