There's nothing like cycling in France (or even my memories of it) to make my heart sing. And even though one has to contend with traffic and other inconveniences one encounters in other large cities, cyclists in Paris are at least not seen as freaks or intruders, and are treated with respect.
Still, there are some streets in the City of Light that aren't for the faint of heart. One of them, until recently, was the Rue de Rivoli. Of course, no trip to Paris is complete without a walk or ride along its most famous streets, which runs from rue de Sevigne (near the Place de la Bastille) to the Place de la Concorde, and includes the Louvre, Tuilieries gardens, Le Marais and numerous hotels, restaurants, stores and bakeries tucked into dazzling belle epoque buildings. I have cycled this route, one of the first "straight-arrow" streets in Paris, numerous time. But I must say that I wasn't intimidated because I've cycled Fifth Avenue, Broadway and other major venues in my hometown, as well as some of the major arteries of other major cities.
Now I wish I were there: It's closed to traffic. That closure is part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo's efforts to encourage cycling and walking, particularly as the Metro and buses are running on COVID pandemic-induced restrictions. "I would like there to be an axis dedicated exclusively to bikes and another reserved only for buses, taxis, emergency vehicles and craftsmens' vehicles, but not cars," she told reporters.
Mayor Hidalgo has said that the closure will continue through the summer, but could be made permanent.
Still, there are some streets in the City of Light that aren't for the faint of heart. One of them, until recently, was the Rue de Rivoli. Of course, no trip to Paris is complete without a walk or ride along its most famous streets, which runs from rue de Sevigne (near the Place de la Bastille) to the Place de la Concorde, and includes the Louvre, Tuilieries gardens, Le Marais and numerous hotels, restaurants, stores and bakeries tucked into dazzling belle epoque buildings. I have cycled this route, one of the first "straight-arrow" streets in Paris, numerous time. But I must say that I wasn't intimidated because I've cycled Fifth Avenue, Broadway and other major venues in my hometown, as well as some of the major arteries of other major cities.
Now I wish I were there: It's closed to traffic. That closure is part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo's efforts to encourage cycling and walking, particularly as the Metro and buses are running on COVID pandemic-induced restrictions. "I would like there to be an axis dedicated exclusively to bikes and another reserved only for buses, taxis, emergency vehicles and craftsmens' vehicles, but not cars," she told reporters.
Mayor Hidalgo has said that the closure will continue through the summer, but could be made permanent.
