The big Monday interview. Hervé Ribon: "We'll create cycle paths if it doesn't disturb cars."

The good weather is upon us: it's time to get your bike out of the garage and join the cyclists who pedal in Metz, whatever the season. Among them is Hervé Ribon, a member of the Metz à Vélo association, of which he was president for twelve years, who is campaigning for the Metz Metropolitan Area to give more space to bicycles. According to him, the community should aim, at the very least, for national ambitions in this area.

Hervé Ribon, 67, president of the Metz à Vélo association from 2013 to March 2025, now vice-president (his successor is Isabelle Della Vedova): "We should organize our lives around cycling, live 5-7 km from our workplace and do our shopping close to home. A good half of the population could do this." Photo Frédéric Lecocq

Since the time of Jean-Marie Rausch , when cyclists who ventured onto the pedestrian area were fined, and today, has the bicycle found its rightful place in the city?

Hervé Ribon : "Under Jean-Marie Rausch, the bicycle was only used for leisure and not as a means of transport. The Metz à Vélo association was created in 1994 by Jean Richard and René Darbois, who wanted to open the city to bicycles . Since then, there has been a real awakening on the part of elected officials. But the car remains the official means of transport. This raises questions when we know that these 1.2 T vehicles, which occupy 70% of public space, are dangerous, pollute and warm the planet. In Metz, we are developing infrastructure for bicycles so much...

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