“La route se partage” celebrates its 10th anniversary

During the Tour de France, the roads are blocked. But in "normal" life, cyclists and cars and motorcycles must live together... Foto: Rundvald / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA 4.0int

(Paul Ravenel) “1 meter in the city and 1.5 meters outside built-up areas” – that’s the distance required by law to overtake a cyclist. It’s also what Thomas Voeckler repeats every day on his motorcycle during the Tour de France. The former cyclist, now a consultant for the race, has his own “La route se partage” segment. During each stage, he provides good practices for both cyclists and motorists to follow. Visibility vests, speed limits, advice for seniors – so many gestures for all audiences, with the goal of sharing the road as well as possible, so that everyone feels safe. The initiative celebrates its 10th anniversary this year and since 2022, it has also appeared during the women’s Tour de France, which takes place after the men’s race.

“La route se partage” isn’t just 5 minutes per stage and Thomas Voeckler on his motorcycle. It’s also about thirty stands at both the start and finish lines, as well as two awareness vehicles that travel along the route alongside the advertising caravan. It’s a commitment that will last over time. The initiative has been renewed until 2028.

A deadly means of transport – Unlike the professional cyclists of the Tour de France, cycling enthusiasts – whether commuting to work or riding for pleasure – don’t benefit from closed roads. This parameter imposes more constraints. Speed is significantly lower, but traffic is much denser. When cycling, vigilance is therefore essential – toward motorists, other cyclists, and also pedestrians. It’s this permanent danger that killed 222 cyclists in 2024, 4 fewer than in 2023, according to the report from the National Inter-ministerial Road Safety Observatory (ONISR). However, cycling and safety are much more developed than in the previous century. In 1955, 1,636 people lost their lives on the roads in cycling accidents, according to the same source.

The Tour de France is a sporting event but above all, a social one. It brings people together, whether in front of their TVs or on the roads, but it’s also the best opportunity to advocate for cyclists’ rights to the widest possible audience.