Angoulême joins bicycle festival for the first time

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On 5 and 6 June Angoulême in Charente will for the first time join in with the 13th Fête du Vélo, in an attempt to prove that the bicycle has a future in the town as a proper means of transport.

Angoulême has traditionally neglected the bicycle, with its hilly roads and paths being a turn-off for would-be cyclists, and poor facilities hampering efforts to encourage people to abandon their cars.  But things are changing.

To coincide with the Fête du Vélo, the town is to announce a new cycle policy, setting out ambitious plans for the town centre, including reduced speed zones for cars and three new dedicated cycle parking facilities (at the station, Champ-de-Mars and in the old town), so that cyclists can leave their bikes in full security.

The town has subscribed to the Club des Villes Cyclables, in a bid to get help with legal and technical planning, to ensure all initiatives are favourable for cyclists.

Over the two days there will be information stands available, whilst cyclists can discover the town's heritage via two guided bike trails.  On 5 June there will be a conference-debate on the subject of the bicycle as a serious means of transport, starting at 20h30 at the town hall.

You can see the full bulletin from the town council by clicking here, and you can access the Fête du Vélo website by clicking here.

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