Amsterdam lagging behind Paris in child-friendly street development
Take the Lead: Paris Dominates Pedestrian and Cyclist-Friendly European Cities
Slap bang in the middle of the week, NGO Clean Cities published a groundbreaking study comparing 36 European cities. And guess who smashed it out of the park? None other than the dazzling city of lights, Paris, clenching the top spot with a whopping 79% score.
Following closely behind was the vibrant city of Amsterdam, with 63%, while Oslo placed a respectable 9th with 48% and Copenhagen ranked 11th, taking 45%.
But what, you ask, did it take to land a spot on this coveted podium? Well, the ranking was based on three essential criteria: the percentage of school streets that are car-free, the share of roads that have a speed limit of 30km/h or less, and the proportion of protected bike lanes.
Good luck trying to knock Paris off its pedestal. The city ranked third for pedestrianized school streets, boasting a health 25%—slightly behind the likes of London and Milan. But here's where it truly shines: Paris scooped the other two categories. With a mind-blowing 89% of its roads limited to 30km/h, and a whopping 48% of bike lanes sporting protection—a feat shared only with Helsinki.
Rapid Change is a Reality
"Did you hear that? Seismic shifts are possible in a jiffy," said the authors of the report, saluting the efforts of Parisian Mayor Anne Hidalgo. Her bold initiatives to curb traffic congestion in Paris since 2014 have earned criticism from the right, but the hard facts can't be denied.
Hats off to Lyon
Paris's staggering performance was followed closely by Lyon, which snagged fifth place with a score of 52.9%. Lyon did exceptionally well with its speed limits—a whopping 84% of the city's roads bear the cap of 30km/h—but only 15% of schools boast pedestrianized streets, and just 14% of the bike lanes have protective barriers.
Meanwhile, the Marseille found itself languishing in the 31st spot among the 36 cities. Only a dismal 1% of its streets have a speed limit of 30km/h, while a mere 2% of schools are located on pedestrianized streets, and a minuscule 8% of its bike lanes are protected. The city's overall score was an embarrassing 16%.
Paris: The Crème de la Crème of Pedestrian and Cyclist-Friendly Cities
Naturally, Clean Cities points out that cities designed to be more accessible for children tend to be more inclusive overall. And it doesn't stop there. Clean Cities also draws a connection between children's health and air pollution, citing 1,200 annual deaths among children and teenagers in Europe attributed to air pollution.
The good news is that parents can make a considerable impact in creating a safer, more eco-friendly urban environment. The report suggests that by collaborating with teachers and municipal administrations, considerable progress can be achieved rapidly. The future of cities, it seems, is in good hands.
- The city of Paris, known for being a leader in pedestrian and cyclist-friendly cities, also excels in environmental science, as it ranks high in promoting a health-and-wellness lifestyle by reducing air pollution, a crucial factor for children's health.
- Paris is not solely focused on health issues; it also takes into account climate change and the environment, demonstrated by its efforts to minimize carbon emissions and promote home-and-garden practices that are eco-friendly.
- As the crème de la crème of pedestrian and cyclist-friendly cities, Paris serves as an international model for other cities aiming to improve their environmental and health standards, setting a high bar for countries such as France.
- In line with their commitment to health, France, particularly Paris, integrates both health and science in their urban planning strategies, creating an environmentally conscious lifestyle that values the protection of the planet and the improvement of public health.
