Several hundred people demonstrated emotionally on Saturday afternoon in Paris, to demand an end to the “motorized violence”a few days after the death of a 27-year-old cyclist in the capital, and demand measures to pacify cohabitation between cyclists and motorists.
The participants, many of whom came by bike, gathered at Place de la République, in the center of Paris, under the slogans “less speed, more tenderness”, “walk or cycle, for peaceful streets”, “stop motorized violence”or even “police officers, don’t let us down”.
“At some point, you have to calm down, the road belongs to no one and everyone”Véronique, who did not wish to specify her last name, told AFP. “It could have been me, a car is a weapon,” said this thirty-year-old, who travels around Paris every day on an electric bike for her concierge company, La fille à vélo.
“Motorized violence kills. We want the public authorities to really take up the subject”demanded Anne Monmarché, president of Paris en Selle, an association which campaigns to improve cycling conditions and claims a thousand members. “We must protect the most vulnerable. Paul is no longer here, but we are here”she added at the end of her speech, very moved.

Rally at Place de La République in Paris, October 19, 2024, against motorized violence and in tribute to Paul, a 27-year-old cyclist who died after being hit by a car during the week / Bertrand GUAY / AFP
She will be part of a delegation which will be received Monday afternoon by the Minister of Transport François Durovray.
“The idea is to listen to the proposals of the associative actors representing cyclists with respect, in order to co-construct future policies together”his office told AFP.
Paul Varry, 27, an active member of the Paris en Selle association, died on the public highway on Tuesday, run over by a motorist with whom he had just had a dispute, on Boulevard Malesherbes, in the 8th arrondissement of Paris.
The driver, a 52-year-old technical salesman, was indicted for murder and imprisoned.
The demonstrators in Paris respected a minute of silence at 5:45 p.m., the time when the drama unfolded, followed by a very long round of applause.

Gathering at Place de La République in Paris, October 19, 2024, to pay tribute to Paul, a 27-year-old cyclist who died after being hit by a car during the week / Bertrand GUAY / AFP
Gatherings also took place at the same time in front of the town halls of many other cities in France, at the call in particular of the French Federation of Bicycle Users (FUB) and the association Better Travel by Bicycle.
In Nantes, around 300 people participated in the minute of silence in front of the town hall, observed an AFP journalist.
“It’s an assassination for bodywork. We’re talking about it today, fortunately, but because it was in the middle of Paris. In the countryside for example there are many facts which remain invisible”lamented Arthur Desmidt, 29 years old, helmet on his head.

Gathering in Rennes, October 19, 2024, to pay tribute to Paul, a 27-year-old cyclist who died after being hit by a car during the week / Damien MEYER / AFP
“We must stop considering the car as an extension of ourselves and overvalue it in everyday life”argued Barbara Delattre, high school teacher and member of the Nice à Vélo association, a city where nearly a hundred people observed a minute of silence for Paul Varry.
In 2023, 226 cyclists died on the roads of France, exceeding the threshold of 200 deaths for the third consecutive year.