Mobility in Bordeaux: cycling to work as a couple to clear up any doubts

In the Bordeaux metropolitan area, the Vélo-Cité association supports employees who wish to do so in learning to cycle for their home-work journeys.

It's 7:30 a.m. in Villenave-d'Ornon when Sacha Viel, an instructor with the Vélo-Cité association, arrives at his student's building. His mission for the day: to teach Maelisse, a laboratory technician, how to travel to work on two wheels, between Villenave-d'Ornon and Haut-Lévêque Hospital in Pessac. "The idea is to teach employees how to get around and repair their vehicles, through workshops. But there are still few who want to get started," Sacha laments.

In France, only 500,000 French people cycle to work. So the Vélo-Cité instructor still has work to do! But there are still some good points to be given: Nouvelle-Aquitaine, with 3% of "bike commuters" in 2020 according to INSEE, is slightly above the national average. And Bordeaux, the third city in France with the most cyclists on this type of journey. To increase the number of two-wheel users, the French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB) launched these initiations as part of the national program Objectif employeur pro vélo (OEPV), inaugurated in 2022.

Today, we're heading to Pessac. Maelisse has finally decided to take the plunge: "As soon as I saw the workshop offered on the CHU intranet, I jumped at the chance! On my own, I would never have done it, but with support, I couldn't refuse!" Her employer is funding the training. Better still: since the laboratory technician prioritizes eco-mobility, the hospital pays her a bonus that increases depending on the number of trips made. This is the sustainable mobility package (FMD), rolled out in 2020. "They explained to me that I could receive up to 300 euros per year, so I signed up!" she enthuses.

I would never have gone ahead on my own, but with someone to guide me, I couldn't refuse!

A reminder of the risk zones, a helmet and GPS check. The departure is imminent. For his session with Maelisse, Sacha has mapped out a tailor-made 15-kilometer route. "I already rode this circuit alone yesterday," explains the instructor. "There are a few slightly dangerous sections, so you'll have to stay vigilant, but the route is well laid out." After a few hesitant pedal strokes, the caregiver finally sets off on her black and chrome bike.

Throughout the journey, the teacher stops to remind them of the rules of the Highway Code, "which we tend to forget." "Don't hesitate to indicate to drivers which direction you're going!" "Leave one door between you and the cars!" At the front of the line, he regularly glances back to make sure his student isn't encountering any difficulties. For Maelisse, everything seems to be going smoothly.

At 8:45 a.m., as the summer heat begins to rise, the nurse and instructor finally arrive at the hospital parking lot. It's time to take stock. After a brief exchange, Sacha promises the young woman to send her her personalized route. Maelisse, for her part, reassures him: "There are real facilities for cyclists! I have more confidence! Tomorrow, I'm leaving again!" A victory for the enthusiast, who congratulates himself. As proof of her enthusiasm, she even writes to him a little later: "I realized: commuting by bike is really possible!"

> This article is from an editorial supplement devoted to sustainable mobility, published in the Wednesday, September 17 edition of "Sud Ouest", available on newsstands at sudouest.fr