Another French city orders cyclists to get off their bikes in pedestrian zones

Clermont-Ferrand has joined a growing number of French cities bringing in rules requiring cyclists to dismount within parts of the city centre. 

A new rule prioritising pedestrian safety means that cyclists, scooter riders and other users of personal mobility vehicles must now get off their bikes in pedestrianised parts of the central France city. 

The rule came into force on October 12 via an official order (arrêté) titled Pied à terre (Foot on the ground).

It follows similar bans in Tours, La Rochelle, Agen, Lille and Nice. 

The ban in Clermont-Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme) concerns users of both motorised and non-motorised bikes and scooters, as well as other engins de déplacement personnel (EDPs) including unicycles, Segways, hoverboards and certain mopeds. 

The regulation applies to pedestrian zones in five sectors of the city centre: Jaude, Saint-Pierre, Saint-Dominique, the centre historique et Saint-Esprit. 

“The streets there are narrow, there are numerous outdoor cafes, the crowds are dense, and [two-wheeled] vehicles are travelling at high speed among pedestrians. Local residents and shopkeepers have been alerting us to this for a long time,” said the city’s mayor, Julien Bony, in a Facebook post. 

“Everyone should be able to walk peacefully in the city centre. In a pedestrianised street, pedestrians have priority. It’s common sense!” he added. 

The mayor also highlighted that alternative routes still allow cyclists to cross the city centre, and fines will only be issued after an initial ‘awareness’ period has allowed residents to understand the rules. 

Exceptions also apply to certain groups, including law enforcement and emergency services, health professionals, postal and authorised delivery workers, people with disabilities, and children under the age of eight.

Local residents launch a petition

A departmental association called Vélo-Cité 63, dedicated to promoting walking and cycling in everyday life, created a petition against the Pied à terre order. 

It has received over 5,000 signatures at the time of writing. 

“At a time when towns and cities are seeking to reduce pollution and create quieter town centres, Clermont-Ferrand is discouraging those who choose a mode of transport that is inexpensive, clean, quiet and good for their health,” stated Vélo-Cité 63.

“Forcing cyclists to push their bikes discourages them from making the journey in the first place,” it added.

The association also highlights that avoiding pedestrian areas “forces cyclists to take detours via roads that are unsuitable and inadequately safe” with some being “particularly accident-prone.”

Cyclist fatalities are on the rise in France, with 256 deaths over the last 12 months - up 37% compared with 2019 according to the National Interministerial Road Safety Observatory (Observatoire national interministériel de la sécurité routière, ONISR).

The ONISR also found that pedestrian deaths are increasing, with 503 in 2025 - up 4% compared with 2019.

Note that only one pedestrian was killed by a bike and another was killed due to a collision with a motorised EDP. 

Similar initiatives around France

Riding bikes and scooters is also banned in Tours (Indre-et-Loire) on rue Nationale - the main high street that runs through the city centre. 

The rule came into force in November 2024 and applies from 10:00-20:00 every day except on Sundays and public holidays - when there are usually fewer pedestrians as shops are closed.  

It is “intended to ensure the safety of all those who use the street,” said the Ville de Tours.

The street is semi-pedestrianised and is described as being “very busy” with a tram line running along the central axis.

Restrictions for bike and scooter users also exist in other French cities, including La Rochelle, Agen and Lille. Seasonal restrictions are sometimes introduced during summer months in Nice. 

Have you witnessed any dangerous cyclists in pedestrian areas of your French town? Do you think this new rule should be extended to other cities? Let us know at feedback@connexionfrance.com