Grenoble - FRANCE

Facts and figures about Grenoble
The Grenoble Alpes Métropole urban agglomeration (known as the Métro), is at the heart of an urban area counting more than half a million inhabitants. The Métro, second largest metropolitan city in Rhône-Alpes, comprises 26 communes working together around a single shared goal: to improve the daily life of approximately 400.000 inhabitants. Transport management, environmental protection, economic development and urban solidarity are the main missions of the Métro. What does the Métro do to organise transport and especially to promote sustainable mobility? The Métro promotes and develops non-car modes of transport (cycle, pedestrian, public transport). Today, there are 300 km of reserved cycle paths in the agglomeration and three outlets rent “Métro-vélo” bicycles to the public. The Métro contributes to improving the safety of “soft modes” by encouraging communes to create 30km/h zones to slow car traffic. Finally, it carries out studies and projects to improve the operation of urban expressways (sound proofing, lighting, intersections, etc.) and coordinates the centralised management project of the various different modes of transport (“GMCD”).

La Métro has a 8% modal split for cyling and therefore is a "CLIMBER" city for its cycling level.

Local activities in Grenoble
The city of Grenoble's motto within PRESTO is “From Occasional Cycling to Daily Cycling”. The local activities planned during the project lifetime include following four actions:

1. Stakeholder consensus on “soft mode friendly urban spaces and streets” – towards an agreement on design principles. Grenoble is eager to improve the safety for cyclists, since a study revealed high accident rates. In order to agree on design principles, several workshops will take place with relevant stakeholders. This action aims to provide a common frame and common rules for designing infrastructure. Expected result is improved safety, in line with the Grenoble Local Transport Plan (50% less soft mode injuries within 5 years), and increase in cycling due to improved safety.

2. “Fête du vélo” (bicycle festival, incl. bike to work & school). Grenoble wishes to promote cycling as an attractive transport mode in a friendly and joyful atmosphere. Within PRESTO the city will upgrade its bicycle festival as outstanding cycling event with strong media potential in order to promote daily cycling for everyone. Around 5.000 participants are expected. At the same time the operations “Bike to Work” (8.000 participants) and “Bike to School” (4.000 participants) will be upgraded too.

3. Towards a global promotion strategy for cycling: develop a marketing campaign. Within this action several tasks are due to be implemented:
distribution of documents, in giving information, in diffusion of advises, in promotion on cycling (behaviours, policy, infrastructure, technical details, ...); participating to different public events in the city by holding a stand: spring exhibition (“foire de printemps”), Naturissima exhibition, road safety week, European Mobility Week, promotion campaign of lighting for cyclists in winter; participating in exhibitions and events organised by big companies and public authorities for their employees: St Microelectronics, Caterpillar, Schneider, administrations, the public hospital of Grenoble, etc.; answering to people and public by phone, by mail, by direct contact to the different questions they have on cycling in the city. This action program should set the basis for effective future promotion measures by defining a global Cycling Promotion Plan for Grenoble, raise awareness about the benefits and options for urban cycling at public events, start implementation of promotion strategy by focusing on a specific target group particularly with health issues.

4. Electric bicycles demonstration and 1 week bike to work trial. A test track during the bicycle festival (5.000 participants) aims to make electric bicycles known to employees and other inhabitants, especially those living in hilly parts of town. 50 electric bicycles will be tested by commuters for a week.