Since 1 September in the French city of Lyon, a geofencing system has been introduced to manage the operation of e-bikes in the city’s Vélo’v shared-bike fleet. The electric assistance function is automatically deactivated when entering specific pedestrian and meeting areas in the metropolitan region, with the aim of improving the co-existence of riders and pedestrians in busy spaces.
Riders of the electric Vélo’v bikes will hear an audible warning when entering one of the geofenced zones, and see a red light on the handlebars. The bikes can still be used after the electric assistance function is deactivated, but only in mechanical mode. Upon leaving the restricted zone, electrical assistance automatically reactivates.
The geofencing idea was initially floated during a municipal council session in September 2025, to encourage cyclists to go at a walking pace in pedestrianised areas. Signs on routes have been installed to remind riders of the rules, and explanations are placed on handlebars of the Vélo’v bikes.
The scheme affects the meeting areas of the Presqu’île, Vieux-Lyon, rue Mercière, the Gratte-Ciel sector in Villeurbanne, and the Tête d’Or park, with the exception of cycle paths. The lower part of the Saône quays and the Moncey passage are also affected.
The French mobility advocacy association Wimoov has published the 4th edition of its Daily Mobility Barometer, revealing that 17 million French people are experiencing mobility insecurity.
The biennial Barometer is based on a survey of 13,400 people, and reveals that the economic difficulties experienced with regard to mobility are both a consequence and cause of household financial vulnerability. Wimoov states that this precarious situation is seen across generations, in diverse settings including cities, suburbs and rural areas, and affects both the employed and unemployed. Particularly affected are young people, those living below the poverty line, residents of priority areas and rural areas, and job-seekers.
Key statistics from the Barometer include:
31% of French people are in a precarious mobility situation
44% of those in a precarious mobility situation live in rural areas
47% of them are in the 18-24 age bracket
76% of them are people living below the poverty line
On average, the French spend €225/month on transportation, equating to 26% of the budget of those with the lowest incomes
Barriers to mobility affecting daily life
38% of French people do not travel every day – not through choice, but for lack of mobility solutions. When looking at specific demographic groups, the figures are higher:
42% of rural residents
43% of people living below the poverty line
45% of those under 25
55% of job seekers
45% of those who have no solution for travel do not leave their homes each day.
The ripple effects of mobility insecurity
48% of French people will sometimes avoid travelling in order to save money, rising to 62% in single-parent families, and 63% of those living below the poverty line.
This has a direct impact on economic and social inclusion, and on health. In the last year, 12% of French people have forgone healthcare in order to continue financing their daily commutes, while 14% have had to cancel medial appointments as a result of transportation difficulties.
22% of young people have given up on a job because they didn’t have the means to travel to work, while 62% frequently avoid travelling, in order not to spend too much.
Additional findings
Only 28% of French people are aware of the availability of subsidies for sustainable mobility, and only 1 in 2 are aware of subsidies for using public transport.
47% of French people feel they have no choice in their daily modes of transport, which represents a slight increase.
79% of rural residents would not be able to replace their car with another mode of transport, in the case of a breakdown.
48% of French people avoid certain journeys for fear of their safety (citing incivilities, assaults, accidents).
With e-scooter helmet use increasingly becoming mandatory at regional level, the French government is aiming to draft and legally secure its own decree for regulation at the national level. The legislation may also be extended to cyclists.
Since the beginning of 2026, there have been a series of regional directives across France, requiring riders to protect their heads while riding an e-scooter or other types of motorised personal transport devices. Regions which have implemented it are Paris, Alpes-Maritimes, Yonne, Manche, and Yvelines.
Regional authorities that haven’t yet made helmet use mandatory have been encouraged to do so for consistency nationwide.
There has been speculation about whether regulations could extend to cyclists, including e-bike riders, also legally having to wear a helmet.
French government looking to make helmet use mandatory
The Junior Minister for Citizenship, Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, has told Le Monde that the French government is drafting and legally securing its own decree at the national level. Vedrenne also wants the measure to be widened to include mandatory helmet use for all cyclists across France.
In reaction to the possible measure being extended to cyclists, cycling advocacy groups have argued that it would be counterproductive and not protect cyclists in most fatal accidents.
A government source has implied that this national regulation is unlikely to be passed before the government’s next election process, which will start in April 2027.
Research has been conducted in the Brittany region of France to explore the potential for the introduction of “Light Roads” – a shift of road policy away from the current car-dominated scenario, in an effort to promote the development and uptake of small, low-carbon and light electric vehicles.
A joint study between French eco-transition agency ADEME, policy transformation agency Ti Lab – Bretagne, and public-interest design agency Vraiment Vraiment has resulted in the publication of the report Vers de Mobilités. In 2025, a range of light electric vehicles (LEVs) was tested out in the peri-rural area of La Chapelle-Thouarault, a municipality within the Rennes Métropole area, which has a population of approximately 2,250, and is mainly reliant on cars for daily transport, with some use of a limited public transport network. Cycling is popular and growing, but is mainly a leisure activity, and the municipality is somewhat isolated from the existing Express Bike Network.
Vehicle weight was an important consideration during the study. All those deployed weigh less than 600 kg, and included a trike with shell cover and storage compartment, and a longtail cargo bike, both offering electric assistance up to 25 km/h; a Weez microcar-style vehicle capable of carrying two people; and a Woodybus electric-assist bike which can transport up to eight children.
The study involved input from 71 residents, including 20 testers of the vehicles, alongside contributions from 14 mobility stakeholders and six elected officials. Key lessons from the study found that LEVs such as those tested out already exist, but remain a blind spot in public policy, particularly with regard to rural planning and mobility. The report states:
“Currently, LEVs do not have suitable spaces to circulate safely. On the one hand, they are often too large or fast for cycle paths. On the other hand, they prove vulnerable on conventional roads because they are smaller and slower than car traffic. The same applies to parking: current spaces are only sized for bicycles or traditional cars.
“Specifically ‘intermediate’, LEVs struggle to find their place in existing road layouts and current traffic regulations.”
The Light Roads concept
The report poses a question of how to support the development of light mobility, without the building of whole new infrastructure.
“Discussions with project partners led to an interest in a topic already present in reflections on active mobility: reallocation of certain municipal roads. This approach, initially conceived for cycling, opens up broader perspectives to accommodate a range of fuel-efficient and lightweight vehicles.
“It is in this perspective that the concept of light road emerged: a road whose uses, traffic rules and layouts are rethought in order to promote all light mobilities, while relying as much as possible on existing infrastructure.”
Three separate scenarios for Light Roads are outlined in the report:
The frugal rural road: Transforming a rural road into a route accessible to small vehicles, but dissuasive to through traffic, by means of “rustic” improvements, and relying on the involvement of residents to strengthen ownership of the approach.
The ‘peaceful’ small agricultural road: Ensuring the safe coexistence of different modes of transportation along a route that is currently largely unregulated, through minor infrastructure improvements and a gradual reduction in speed, with the goal of transitioning to a traffic-calmed roadway model.
The underutilised departmental road: Redirecting through traffic to a parallel route to protect a lightly used road and give space back to light mobility and local uses.
A key observation made in the report regarding all three scenarios states:
“Operational implementation requires local support, which includes facilitation and planning: carrying out a detailed assessment of the potential of the routes by involving local stakeholders, identifying routes from point A to point B adapted to different modes, working on the issue of citizen participation on concrete proposals to organize the social acceptability of the approach through experimentation and tool-based communication.”
The tourist office of the Côte du Midi region of France has introduced a range of light electric vehicles (LEVs) available for tourist hire until November 15th, enabling fun and environmentally friendly exploration of the area.
Named the Véli, the range of vehicles available includes four variants, which have been named as Georges, Huguette, Johnny and Simone. Depending on the model, the vehicles are capable of carrying two people, or one adult and two children, and can be used for up to seven hours, with availability from Monday to Friday.
At Narbonne-Plage, the vehicles available are Georges and Simone. At Somail, available vehicles are Huguette and Johnny.
Georges is a quadricycle with space for a driver and one passenger.
Simone is a tricycle, with a spacious compartment at the front for carrying loads such as picnics, to fuel a full day of exploration.
Huguette is a stable and comfortable quadricycle, able to accommodate two adults, or one adult and two children.
Johnny is a tricycle which is compact, stable and easy to manoeuvre, designed for leisurely exploration and capable of carrying one adult and one child or small adult.
The Côte du Midi tourist office has described the advantages of exploring via Véli: “On abike, you take the time to admire the scenery, to cross villages via small roads, to take a break by the water or simply to enjoy the journey and the gentle way of life on the Côte du Midi.”
Since 2020, 6t research has been supporting The Logistics City Chair at Gustave Eiffel University on studying the transportation that various delivery drivers use in the French cities of Paris and Lyon.
With instant deliveries becoming a common fixture in urban life and transportation, the study examines on-demand delivery workers, and outlines the vehicles they have chosen for their work.
Research uncovers different mobility selections by delivery drivers in Paris and Lyon
Private e-bikes are more common in Paris, with them being selected more frequently for deliveries in recent years. In 2022, it was reported they had a marginal share, but now account for 53% of delivery transportation.
The fatbike is more common in Paris (accounting for 17%) in comparison to Lyon (2%).
In Paris, electric mobility is more dominant than Lyon, with decreases in personal mechanical bicycles and motorised two-wheelers. Meanwhile, in Lyon, delivery is more commonly carried out by motorised two-wheelers, which are mostly non-electric.
A recent French study provides a snapshot of the current status of e-bikes in France, examining the evolution of their growing popularity with a varied demographic.
As France sees the sale of electric bikes averaging 600,000 annually (putting them ahead of electric cars), a report published by Fondation Jean Jaurès explores their perception and use by the French population. The study, Dans la France du vélo électrique, draws on data from market research specialists Ifop, and a survey by e-bike reconditioning platform Upway.
Ifop’s study was carried out with 3,003 people representative of the French population in May 2026, measuring what people think about e-bikes – their perception, image and intention – and whether they own one. Upway conducted a survey of customers in the first quarter of 2026, building a profile of their everyday behaviour and motivations. Upway also gathered interviews with customers who agreed to share their experiences.
Key findings
The perception of e-bikes depends on the age demographic. 45% of those aged 65 or older value the ease of pedalling and reduced effort most, while 28% of those under 35 emphasise the importance of technology, equipment, formats and brands.
42% of e-bike owners use it for commuting.
Almost 2 in 10 French people own an e-bike, with a younger, more affluent demographic the main buyers.
80% of e-bike owners would recommend them to friends and family.
Engaging in light physical activity, enjoying the outdoors, and reducing car use are seen as the three main benefits of using an electric bike.
Barriers to e-bike use include purchase and maintenance costs, and the lack of dedicated cycling infrastructure.
The LEVA-EU member has announced that it is venturing into the world of shared mobility fleets for the first time, with its groundbreaking PERS chainless technology powering Ultima bikes in the French city of Annecy.
The e-mobility technology brand stated on its LinkedIn that the first CIXI-powered fleets are now available in Annecy, France, as it thanked partners Ultima Mobility and the city of Annecy for their cooperation in bringing innovative, sustainable mobility to the city.
It described the move as a “great reward for the team and marks a major step forward in our mission to build Active Mobility.”
CIXI also announced the exciting news that it is working on other regional fleet partnerships, including one with Vitalliance in Paris.
Image credit: Chloé Morin / Le Petit Courrier, l’Écho de la Vallée du Loir.
The LEVA-EU member has announced its collaboration with financial leasing service provider LOCAM, enabling its e-bikes to be rented to stores on a long-term basis. This news comes as 24 municipalities in the South Sarth region of France are now offering their citizens the opportunity to rent NEOMOUV bikes for a period of up to 12 months.
About its latest collaboration, the French brand states that there is an increasing number of stores looking to provide rentals, so it has joined forces with LOCAM to offer its bikes on a long-term basis instead of being purchased.
NEOMOUV states that its concrete solution is simple and convenient in enabling stores to adapt it to their business reality, making it possible to:
Develop a rental business without having to advance the whole amount
The opportunity to adapt fleet sizes to demand
Preserve cash flow for other projects
To learn more about the scheme, interested parties are invited to email contact@neomouv.com.
NEOMOUV available for long-term rental in South Sarth, France
From March 2 2026, Loir-Lucé-Bercé’s community of municipalities announced its partnership with NEOMOUV to allow its citizens to rent the company’s e-bikes on a 1, 3, 6, or 12-month basis.
This initiative aligns with the region’s plans to achieve climate, air, and energy objectives set by the larger Loir Valley region by offering a daily alternative to the car.
The municipalities’ President Hervé Roncière and Vice-President Galienne Cohu explained the following about the scheme.
“This is work carried out throughout this term with the approval of our cycling master plan in the fall of 2025,” explain President Hervé Roncière and Vice-President Galienne Cohu.
“It’s a choice. It’s a testing phase, we’re waiting to see if the public is receptive, and what kind of public. In reality, this service can appeal to a very wide range of people: students, working people, seniors, apprentices, tourists… We want to take it step by step and not rush into it,” adds Galienne Cohu.
Six NEOMOUV e-bikes available for residents to trial sustainable transportation
Olivier Goupil, director of Néomouv, and Matteo Charcellay, sales representative, confirmed that six of the company’s bikes, which have an average range of 60-80 km, will be easily available for interested citizens:
“The rental process takes place on a platform where you will need to provide your contact details and make the payment; it will be quick and easy. You will be given a meeting point with three pick-up locations: La Chartre, Le Grand-Lucé, or Montval. Maintenance and repairs will be handled by our partner Green Bike, in Ruillé. All necessary instructions will be provided on the day of delivery.”
In terms of the pricing, bikes can be rented for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months for 30 euros per month with insurance included.
More about the scheme, including the booking link, can be accessed on the Loir-Lucé-Bercé’s community of municipalities LinkedIn page.
