Lyon has been awarded “4 vélos”, the highest level of the “Ville à vélo du Tour de France” label granted by the Tour de France organisation to local authorities that promote cycling. It is the only French city to reach this level, and only two other European cities share it. The distinction recognises a cycling policy led for many years by the City and the Métropole de Lyon to develop cycling for daily trips, leisure and sport.

How the label works

Created in 2021, the label is open to cities that host or have hosted the Tour de France, in its men’s or women’s version, or an event labelled Tour de France, such as a criterium or a cyclosportive stage. It is not a ranking but a recognition of the public policies put in place and of their progress. 25 cities were recognised this year. Outside France, only Lausanne in Switzerland and Vitoria-Gasteiz in Spain reached the same level as Lyon. With 81 points in the assessment, Lyon is well above the threshold required for the distinction.

What the assessment highlighted

The Tour de France organisation pointed to:

  • a long-term cycling strategy structured since 2009 and reinforced by the Plan Vélo 2020-2026;
  • the Voies Lyonnaises, a structuring and secure cycling network;
  • road-safety work and calmer public space, including the generalisation of 30 km/h zones;
  • a full range of cycling services: secure parking, intermodality, repair workshops, the Vélo’v bike share and support for users;
  • the involvement of a dense network of associations and institutions.

Background and next steps

Mayor Grégory Doucet linked the label to the policy and investments carried by the Métropole and the City since 2020. He said the new infrastructure and the Voies Lyonnaises have made safer a cycling practice that has grown by more than 60% in the urban area. The spread of 30 km/h zones builds on an earlier decision: on 30 March 2022, Lyon was one of the first municipalities to adopt the Ville 30 scheme proposed by the Métropole de Lyon. The mayor said the city will keep supporting the promotion of cycling.