Paris Launches 12 New Car-Free Cycling Routes for Families This Summer

The summer school holidays are underway, and Paris’s family-friendly cycling routes are humming with activity. With temperatures hovering in the pleasant mid-20s and dozens of kilometres of protected cycle tracks, finding a safe route for beginners is easier now than at any point in the city’s recent memory.

Paris’s embrace of two wheels is more than a lifestyle shift-it’s a strategic response to rising concerns about traffic safety and clean air. The city government’s recent investments, bolstered by its flagship Plan Vélo, are aimed squarely at attracting new and less confident riders, especially families. At a time when road accidents involving cyclists are under scrutiny, and the upcoming Paris Olympics (opening July 24) are set to fill the city’s parks with visitors, knowing where it’s safe to cycle is suddenly a practical necessity.

Where Paris Rides: From the Seine to the Bois de Boulogne

The Parc Rives de Seine remains the city’s classic car-free option. Stretching for 7 kilometres along the river’s right and left banks, between the Pont de Sully and the Pont Bir-Hakeim, this pedestrian-and-bike riverside zone offers a flat, barrier-free ride. On weekend mornings, it’s common to see accompanied school-age children testing out their new bikes, or grandparents joining in on e-bikes from the city’s Vélib’ Métropole rental scheme (which starts at €3 for single rides or €8 for a day pass).

For those wanting greener surroundings, the circuit in the Bois de Boulogne-western Paris’s largest park-features broad paths with separate cycling lanes. The Route de la Grande Cascade loops for nearly 4km with shade from chestnut trees and easy access to playgrounds and picnicking lawns. Experienced parents recommend the Café des Serres, just off Avenue de la Reine Marguerite, as a pit-stop for water and bathrooms, especially useful with younger kids in tow.

Other well-maintained beginner routes include the Coulée Verte René-Dumont running above-ground for almost 5km from Bastille to Porte Dorée, and the Parc Monceau perimeter path, popular with scooter riders and push-bikes alike.

Numbers on the Rise-and How to Join In

Data from Paris City Hall shows cycling traffic rose 38% in the past two years, with over 1,200km of dedicated cycle routes now mapped across the metropolitan area. The public bike rental system logged nearly 49 million rides in 2025 alone, many taken by first-timers and families on weekends or during school holidays. Those new to cycling can sign up for beginner safety courses at Maison du Vélo (37 Boulevard Bourdon, 4th arrondissement); registration starts at €15 for a two-hour class, with free helmets for children available on site.

For families new to outdoor cycling, the city’s municipal website (paris.fr/velo) maintains up-to-date maps segmented by difficulty level. Vélib’ bikes include adjustable seats, and cargo bikes are available at select hubs for those transporting small children.

Looking ahead, the Mairie de Paris has announced a €250 million extension to current cycling networks, set to prioritise safer crossings and newly landscaped greenways, especially in outer arrondissements. For now, families are encouraged to start with the flat, smooth paths of the Seine, or combine rides with a picnic in the Bois de Boulogne. Experts suggest checking air quality indices before a big outing-most weekend mornings score ‘Bon’ (Good) on the city’s Atmo Paris platform.

For anyone considering a gentle spin this summer, the infrastructure is there-and, for beginners or the youngest riders, Paris now offers genuinely safe ground to get rolling.