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France offers subsidy to tempt lockdown cyclists

Under the €20 million French scheme, everyone will be eligible for bike repairs of up to €50 at registered mechanics.

La rédaction de Mediapart

This article is freely available.

France is encouraging people to cycle to keep pollution levels low once lockdown restrictions end, reports the BBC.

Under the €20 million (£17m; $21.7m) scheme, everyone will be eligible for bike repairs of up to €50 at registered mechanics.

The funding will also help pay for cycle training and temporary parking spaces.

Nations worldwide are grappling with ways to change urban transport in light of the coronavirus.

Emergency planners in London fear the Tube will not be able to cope once lockdown is lifted. A report seen by the BBC says that social distancing rules would reduce capacity to 15% of normal levels, and 12% on buses.

Moreover, pollution levels have dropped worldwide, and many are seeking to keep those levels low.

Read more of this report from the BBC.