Eight French people tell how bicycle has changed their daily life

All in saddle! On the cycle paths of cities or along country roads, for students in a hurry or adventurous retirees … The population is called to pedal for the fifth edition of “May by bike”, Launched from Thursday, May 1 in France. The operation intends to encourage cycling, while less than 40% of French people converted there, according to the figures of 2023 of the Ministry of Transport.

Between initiations, workshops and competitions, pread of 5,000 events are organized(New window) For a month to convince as widely as possible. On this occasion, Franceinfo gave the floor to eight French people who tell how their bicycle has changed their daily lives.

Nelly, an employee of a high school: “People said it was impossible here”

When Nelly crosses the village of Chirac-Bellevue on her bike, everyone recognizes her. “The neighbors greet me from their garden”, she smiles. At 50, she is one of the few inhabitants of this Corrèze town of less than 300 souls not to move by car. Upon his arrival in 2023, “People said it was impossible here”, she recalls herself. Not even afraid. “I said to myself: ‘it is trying'”, explains this sportsman, who had to brake on running after a knee operation.

“By bike, I’m all alone with deer and birds. He has something childish, regressive. It’s my joy!”

With her electric bike, Nelly has already crossed two winters without incident. “The most beautiful journey was a day of snow … At 7 am in the dark, under the moon, it was mystical, great”she recalls. Once it arrives at the vocational high school in which she works, she can also count on students for the maintenance of her machine. “The little ones are extremely happy when they repair my bike, it creates a link between us, she smiles. And I tell myself that it may infuse the brains of these future mechanics. “

Jean-Marc, retired: “I went around France”

For Jean-Marc, it all started with a gift. That of her children for her 69th birthday: an electric bike. A bet followed: that of joining Lyon from Perpignan before the birth of his grandson … “Well, I lost a day, but I got to the end! “Slides the 75 -year -old retiree, who had never seriously bicycle before this revelation. But for five years, he spent part of his time on the cycle roads of France with his new playmate.

“We can experience great intensity adventures, even more than 70 years old, without being a seasoned sportsman and without having advanced equipment.”

In 2021, after a year of confinement, “I took revenge, I went around France by bicycle”, tells the septuagenarian. The following year, he traveled Brittany. “In 2023, I watched the French map of my trips, and I lacked the north. I told myself that I was going to eat fries in Dunkirk. It was a huge pleasure “he recalls. A euphoria that sometimes made him forget the Road Code: “I was checked at 56 km/h by the gendarmes in a descent. The chef began to laugh and they just asked me if I smoked something to go so fast! “

Agathe, a student: “It’s a way to get involved and gain self -confidence”

From his preparatory class to Dijon (Côte-d’Or) to his master at the University of Grenoble, Agathe has traveled all her higher education on a bicycle. “I had very short journeys and public transport were slower than the bicycle”explains the 23 -year -old student. The bicycle has established itself as obvious, in these cities where cycle facilities are numerous.

“It is for me a time saving and a way of cutting with the pressure of studies.”

Over the years, cycling has become more than a means of transport. “As I took a taste, I was interested in it and I made a master’s degree on mobility”she traces. “Today, the bicycle is part of my professional daily life and it is at the heart of my personal life as a sport, leisure activity, way of traveling and meeting people”Explain this enthusiast, before adding: “It is also a way to get involved and gain self -confidence.”

Thomas, Ehpad rehabilitator: “I apply my own medical advice”

“A little effort every day.” This recommendation, repeatedly repeated to the residents of the EHPAD in which he works, Thomas, 34, decided to make him his. Since 2018, he has been traveling by bike the seven kilometers that separate his house from this establishment for the elderly, in Eure. “It is an additional constraint, but I see an interest in my health”explains the rehabilitator. “”I tend to recommend people to practice sports without impact. With the bike, I apply my own medical advice and I gain consistency “he completes. And the cyclist to specify that his recurring pains on the knees have also disappeared.

“My daily 14 km between campaign and city improved my physical and mental preparation in the face of binding work in nursing homes.”

The journey between his home and his work turned into a puff of oxygen. “Before, I was crossing the city by car, it seems completely absurd”recognizes the thirties. Even in Normandy, where rain episodes are frequent, it ensures “Arrive dry at work”. “In reality, the worst is rather the wind.” Not enough to slow it down.

Ayoub, engineer: “I thought it was for the sores”

The bike in the suburbs? In his city in Val-d’Oise, Ayoub did not believe it too much. “I had never thought of taking the plunge”recognizes the young thirties. A boost of his business to buy a bike made him change his mind at the start of the year. “I use it now to go to work and do shopping. I have not found any disadvantages, only advantages”he welcomes himself.

“It’s very practical to get around town. By car, everything is congestioned. By bike, I’m less lazy to go out.”

When he goes to Paris, Ayoub also appreciates self-service bikes, and above all, the fittings adapted to cyclists. “The cycle paths, I thought it was for the soresSlides the engineer. But now I really understand the usefulness of these safety infrastructure. ” Helmet on the head, the thirties now hopes that this type of infrastructure will soon be set up in his city and that the Parisian suburbs will become as welcoming as the capital for cyclists.

José, educator: “I lost 20 kilos”

Tour thirty minutes by car against 1h40 bicycle to get to work? This is José’s choice, and there is no intention of going back. “I have to get up an hour earlier and come back later, but we get used to it quickly. There is real pleasure”explains this resident of a village in Haute-Garonne. “When I leave the work at the end of the day, it happens that I am stressed. At that time, I can’t wait to go on a bike to empty my mindexplains this educator in a home. However, he refrains from riding his bike in winter months, The dark night preventing him from driving safely.

“The daily effort tires me physically and recharges me psychologically. Since I have bicycle every day, I feel better in my body, but especially in my head.”

At the origin of this life change is a medical recommendation and a goal: to play sports and lose weight. “So we sold a car and bought electric bikes with my wife”tells José. The results are spectacular: “I lost 20 pounds”, he assures.

Julia, with disabilities: “I found my freedom”

Since her 16 years, Julia could no longer have a bike. The fault of a handicap that prevents him from pedaling effectively with his two legs. But at the start of the year, everything changed. “I discovered the existence of the pendulum crankset”Tells this resident of Gradignan (Gironde), near Bordeaux. At 39 years old, “No one had ever told me about it, when I am followed by many health professionals”she adds. Once installed on an electric bike, this device allows it to drive without difficulty. “I found my freedom”she explains, moved.

“I shed a small tear when I was able to redo a bike. It was a real turning point in my daily life.”

With this suitable bike, Julia has reduced its use of the car and public transport, often unsuitable for its handicap. “I thought I was going to double my journey time, but not at all”, Ensures the 30 -year -old. Above all, “This practice has enriched my family life”she welcomes herself. “I can now take full advantage of outdoor outings with my daughter and my spouse, precious moments that I would not have experienced without this suitable solution.”

Hervé, retired: “The car is a hard drug, weaning is not easy”

After her divorce, Hervé crossed a depressed phase. “I was taking medication and I didn’t want to take the risk of having a car accident”explains the sixties. He decided then to sell your vehicle and put yourself at the bicycle. A radical change and not necessarily easy. “The car is a hard drug, weaning is not easy”assures the retiree.

“At the beginning, we ask ourselves: ‘What am I going to do without a car?’ But today, it is out of the question to buy a vehicle. “

At 66, Hervé finds many profits to this new mode of transport. “”Health is improving “he underlines. With its bike bought 120 euros used and its 10,000 kilometers on the clock, the investment is particularly profitable. “My transport budget is all riquiqui”, He welcomes himself, despite some car rentals when it is essential. There remains a black point: cycle arrangements around its small town in Charente-Maritime. “It’s catastrophic. Nothing is done to help us, The retiree is lamented. In 2025, it is time for communities to do it! “