A debate questions if vélotaf is cycling, revealing distinct risks and motivations between urban commuting and leisure rides.
Vélotaf and cycling distinctions
A discussion arose about whether vélotaf, the practice of using a bicycle for commuting, is truly a form of cycling. A conversation with a professional cyclist during a lunch break highlighted that the two practices are distinct, though one can engage in both.Cycling definitions and motivations
The official definition of cycling encompasses both sport and leisure, including the sensations of pedaling and self-improvement, which are also present in vélotaf. However, the motivations and risks differ significantly between the two.Rising cycling fatalities
The debate around safety brought up statistics from the Office National d'Inspection de la Sécurité Routière (ONISR), which reported 35 cyclists killed in September 2026, compared to 21 the previous year, with a 34% increase in serious injuries. However, the majority of these fatalities occurred outside urban areas.Urban and rural cycling trends
In 2025, 141 cyclists were killed outside urban areas, a 22% increase compared to 93 in urban areas, which saw a 14% decrease. Despite a 5% increase in cycling in urban areas, the number of fatalities rose by 8% in cities and 20% outside them.Leisure cycling risks
According to the Fédération des Usagers de la Bicyclette (FUB), 87% of cyclists killed in 2024 were on leisure trips, compared to 10% on commuting trips. This suggests that leisure cycling, including events like "who is the Pogačar of the day," carries higher risks than commuting.Urban safety advantages
Urban cycling is four times more dangerous per hour of travel than driving, according to ONISR data from 2023. The FUB emphasizes "safety through numbers," suggesting that the more cyclists there are, the more visible they become to drivers, reducing risks.Risk exposure differences
The discussion concluded that while both cycling and vélotaf involve similar sensations, the exposure to risk is fundamentally different, with urban commuters facing more frequent but less severe incidents and rural cyclists facing fewer but more severe risks.
