Mayors favoring car access

Mayors elected in March are reversing previous policies that restricted car traffic in cities, often prioritizing commerce and residents' purchasing power over environmental goals. In Besançon, Ludovic Fagaut, a member of Les Républicains, has reopened roads previously closed to cars by the ecologist mayor Anne Vignot, aiming to ease traffic congestion.

Supporting local commerce

One of Fagaut’s first actions was to offer free parking for two hours in ten large lots in the city center during midday, arguing this would support local businesses. A similar approach has been taken in Mulhouse, where new mayor Frédéric Marquet has allowed car traffic on a road previously reserved for buses and non-motorized transport.

Political shift in mobility

Mariane Thébert, a geographer at Gustave-Eiffel University, notes that these changes represent a step back in mobility policies aimed at reducing climate impact and improving air quality. This shift is visible in cities like Lyon, where the new right-wing leadership has reintroduced cars to the city center despite resistance from the ecologically focused city council.

Re-politicization of mobility

Thébert also observes a growing political divide over mobility, with language increasingly influenced by far-right rhetoric. She notes a reluctance in some communities to fully support cycling initiatives due to the perceived political cost, and a renewed focus on balancing car access with other transport options.

Avignon’s approach to traffic

In Avignon, newly elected deputy mayor Nicolas Donnadille justifies the reopening of roads to car traffic by stating that the previous policy excluded cars from mobility options. He emphasizes a need to “rebalance” transport choices, while still supporting public transport and non-motorized travel.

Strasbourg’s policy shift

In Strasbourg, socialist mayor Catherine Trautmann has reduced street parking fees, reversing measures taken by her ecologist predecessor. She argues this supports residents who still rely on cars, though her opponent, Jeanne Barseghian, criticizes the move as a return to a car-centric approach.