10 years of anti-car measures

This year we are celebrating a grim anniversary: ​​10 years of anti-car measures in Paris, with many autophobic decisions taken by Anne Hidalgo.

During his first mandate at the head of the town hall of Paristhen during the current, Anne Hidalgo has continued to eat into the living space of motorists. With, it must be admitted, constant pugnacity and a certain success. Of the anti-car measures and decisions taken, for the most part, unilaterally by the councilor.

Anne Hidalgo and the car chase in Paris

The first and last time Anne Hidalgo put herself in the driver’s seat was in October 2021: a candidate for the presidential election, she recognized, in an interview with Libération, that it would be necessary “lower taxes on fuel prices”. Alas, the promise was not enough to get him above 1.7% of the votes in the first round of 2022: worst score in history of the PS. Before and after this snub, on the other hand, she had no no pity for the French who ride. We can no longer count the initiatives that have put obstacles in the way of motorists: reduction of speed on the ring road, invasion of cycle paths, ZFE, pedestrianization, tariffs and elimination of parking spaces, reserved lanes, prohibited traffic, video- fines, generalization of 30 km/h, anti-SUV campaign…
With, each time, the same arguments for pass in force : pollution, noise, safety and even the protection of… historical heritage. Proof that the councilor is (legally) well supported, because all his decisions, however unpopular they may be, have been implemented. With the consequence of make driving in Paris as unbearable as it is dangerous.
A “strategy of disgust”, in short, which consists of dissuading anyone – bikers included – from putting a rim inside the enclosure of the ring road, at the risk of remaining stuck there for hours. And too bad if the commuters no longer come, to hell with the delivery men who can no longer supply the businesses… Who cares socio-economic consequencesthe dogmatic objective is achieved. But, apparently, not yet enough, given the autophobic measures which have just come into force… on the eve of the opening of the Paris Motor Show. Quite a symbol.

50 km/h, parking…

First the passage to the forceps of the 50 km/h on the ring roaddecided unilaterally: the region tried to dissuade the town hall, by offering to partly finance the installation of anti-noise coatings… Without success. This change has serious consequences: from now on, the slightest speeding violation is penalized with a fine of €135 instead of €68, and the practice of interlining is prohibited for motorized two-wheelers… As long as it is not not allowed again. Other harmful effect : it’s a safe bet that drivers will have their eyes glued to their speedometer, rather than on the road.
It now remains to be seen whether the brakes (and force), imposed by Anne Hidalgo, could be called into question. In any case, resistance is being organized: between the prefecture which intends to measure the beneficial effects (or not) of the measure and the associations which are going to do the same, see you in a year!
The other blow of the moment is of course thesoaring parking prices who hits the “heavy” vehicles : €18 per hour, up to €225 plum… It’s unheard of. With, until now, persistent gray areas on the fate reserved for certain “low emission” vehicles: are plug-in hybrids (and LPG) well saved up to 2 tonnes? Nothing is clear.

Except for one thing: with the announced arrival of a “limited traffic zone” in the center of Paris and a reserved lane on the ring road in 2025, Calamity Anne still has a few shots to distribute…